Thickened Cortex

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I'm new to this website and have no idea what I'm doing so any insight on how to find more info on my case would be great. Thickened Cortex on MRI? I've had E (complex partial) for 10 yrs, starting when I was 24. My neuro at the time sent me for an EEG, but never recommended an MRI. I've been well controlled, except for an occasional noct. szr or during mensis. After giving birth to my 2nd daughter, I can't get my seizures under control (hormones is partially to blame). Saw a new neuro and she recommended an MRI. The comments go something like this: "The gyri (gyral cortex) may be slightly thickened. This could represent a developmental abnormality." My EEG is abnormal and seems to occur in the same area. Does anyone out there have a "thickening" of the cortex? Could surgery help? I am currently on Lamictal and started taking Keppra, which I hate and doesn't seem to help. Thanks so much!

Comments

Re: Thickened Cortex

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2008-05-22 - 07:15

Welcome to epilepsy.com! Thanks for writing in and good question! There are lots of possible causes of seizures. As technology has improved the ability to pick up changes in the way the brain looks, we know can find changes that likely have been present someone's whole life. That's what a developmental abnormality is - a change from 'normal' in the way the brain originally developed. There are many different kinds, including thicker layers of brain in some areas. When a structural change such as this is seen on EEG, it's possible that seizures are coming from this area. However, the only way to know for sure is to record the person during a seizure and see where the seizure starts.

Here is a link to information about imaging techniques and what can be seen.

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/epilepsy_brain

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/looking_brain

Whether or not surgery may help depends on the type of seizures, if seizures are coming from that area, and if that area can be removed without causing other problems. When structural problems in the brain are seen, the type of changes seen also need to be considered. To get these answers, a person should be evaluated at a comprehensive epilepsy center with specialists who can look at all these areas and give you lots of information about your situation.

Take a look at the Find A Doctor and Find An Epilepsy Center features on the site if you need them!. http://www.naeclocator.org/locator/default2.asp

Hope this helps,

Epi_help, Resource Specialist

Welcome to epilepsy.com! Thanks for writing in and good question! There are lots of possible causes of seizures. As technology has improved the ability to pick up changes in the way the brain looks, we know can find changes that likely have been present someone's whole life. That's what a developmental abnormality is - a change from 'normal' in the way the brain originally developed. There are many different kinds, including thicker layers of brain in some areas. When a structural change such as this is seen on EEG, it's possible that seizures are coming from this area. However, the only way to know for sure is to record the person during a seizure and see where the seizure starts.