PET/MRI Enhances Lesion Detection for Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Planning

A recent study demonstrates that combined positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) can accurately locate seizure‑generating regions in children whose epilepsy is hard to diagnose, even when conventional MRI scans appear normal or inconclusive. The research, involving a large pediatric cohort that included participants younger than six years old, integrated PET/MRI findings with electroencephalogram (EEG) data and a structured presurgical evaluation to enhance the detection of epileptogenic brain tissue.

The integrated approach significantly improved the identification of seizure‑causing areas and guided subsequent treatment decisions, offering a more reliable pathway for surgical planning in this vulnerable population. Findings from the study were published in the August issue of *The Journal of Nuclear Medicine*, underscoring the potential of PET/MRI as a valuable adjunct in the presurgical workup of pediatric epilepsy.