ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the role of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (~1H-MRS) in accurate lateralization of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and the factors which influenc ~1H-MRS in epileptogenic zones.Methods ~1H MRS and MRI were performed in 40 patients with TLE and 20 healthy volunteers by 1.5T MR/MRS system. The data of spectra of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine+phosphocreatine (Cr) and choline-containing compounds (Cho) obtained from the medial regions of the temporal lobes were analyzed. Lateralization of TLE with ~1H-MRS was defined by the ratio of NAA/(Cho+Cr).Results The ratios of NAA/(Cho+Cr) both in epileptogenic zones (0.45?0.12) and contralateral regions (0.51?0.10) were lower than that in control group (0.58?0.09)( P0.05). There was significant difference in bilateral abnormal EEG between bilateral abnormal NAA/(Cho+Cr) and unilateral abnormal NAA/(Cho+Cr)( P