Application of Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Tractography in Epilepsy Surgery

Application of Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Tractography in Epilepsy Surgery

Using Synaptive Medical's BrightMatter™ products to better visualize and plan epilepsy surgeries by considering white matter tracts, and considering whether the technology results in improved clinical outcomes.

A common goal of focal brain resection is the removal of a lesion while preserving healthy eloquent tissues of the brain. One such eloquent area that is commonly aimed to be preserved are the white matter nerve fiber tracts which is critical of brain communication and function. This study aims to investigate whether the use of Synaptive Medical's BrightMatterTM technology can help neurosurgeons to better visualize and plan surgeries by considering the white matter tracts, and whether it results in improved clinical outcomes. This study will investigate the preservation of the optic radiations in anterior temporal lobectomy epilepsy surgeries.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy between 18 and 65 years of age.
• Patients whose seizures are disabling and/or are not controlled by any form of epileptic medication.
• Patients whose clinical pre-surgical investigations indicates the need for anterior temporal lobe resection (ATLR).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior resective epilepsy surgery.
• Past or planned non resective epilepsy surgery (such as a corpus callosotomy and vagal nerve stimulator placement).
• Contraindication to MRI, and/or whom are (or suspect to) being pregnant.
• Complicated medical problems such as cancer or heart disease.