Typically, epilepsy patients have brain imaging at the time of diagnosis to investigate for a structural cause for seizures. Seizures in these patients are unlikely a result of new structural changes. Neuroimaging in can be considered in patients with longstanding epilepsy without prior imaging studies, or in patients who are candidates for neurosurgery with seizures refractory to medical management. For more information:
Cendes F, et al. Neuroimaging of epilepsy. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. 2016;136:985-1014. PMID: 27430454.
Commission on Neuroimaging of the International League Against Epilepsy. Recommendations for neuroimaging of patients with epilepsy. Epilepsia. 1997 Nov;38(11):1255-6. PMID: 9579930.
Epilepsy Implementation Task Force. Provincial Guidelines for the Management of Epilepsy in Adults and Children. Critical Care Services Ontario. January 2015. [Internet].
Harden CL, et al. Reassessment: Neuroimaging in the emergency patient presenting with seizure (an evidence-based review). Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2007 Oct 30;69(18):1772-80. PMID: 17967993.
Lapalme-Remis S, and Cascino GD. Imaging for Adults with Seizures and Epilepsy. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2016 Oct;22(5, Neuroimaging):1451-1479. PMID: 27740984.