Short communicationNoninvasive detection of focal brain hyperthermia related to continuous epileptic activities using proton MR spectroscopy

- Epileptic discharges (EDs) can induce focal brain hyperthermia.
- We examined EDs-induced focal brain hyperthermia using proton MRS thermometry.
- We recruited six patients with continuous interictal EDs and focus lesions on MRI.
- 1H-MRS calculated the temperatures of the lesions and contralateral counterparts.
- The mean temperature of the epileptogenic foci was significantly higher.

Recent studies using rat models suggested that epileptic discharges (EDs) can induce focal brain hyperthermia, but such ED-related hyperthermia has not been confirmed in humans. We examined hyperthermia of the focus of epilepsy using noninvasive proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) thermometry. We recruited six pediatric patients with refractory daily seizures, continuous interictal epileptic discharges, and concordant focus lesions on MRI who had undergone comprehensive presurgical exams. 1H-MRS thermometry calculated the temperatures of the presumed epileptogenic lesions, and we examined the contralateral counterparts in each patient as controls. As a result, the mean temperature of the epileptogenic foci (36.81 °C) was significantly higher than that of the controls (36.01 °C). The mean difference was 0.81 °C (95%CI: 0.22-1.39, p = 0.017). 1H-MRS thermometry may have the ability to noninvasively detect focal brain hyperthermia related to continuous EDs in human subjects, and to contribute to a better understanding and focus detection of epilepsy.