Focal lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum in epileptic patients: Antiepileptic drug toxicity?

Sam Soo Kim, Kee Hyun Chang, Sung Tae Kim, Dae Chul Suh, Jung Eun Cheon, Sang Wuk Jeong, Moon Hee Han, Sang Kun Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

164 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Discrete focal lesions in the splenium of the corpus callosum on MR images in epileptic patients have received little attention in the literature. Our purpose was to describe these lesions, which may be related to the toxicity of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and to discuss the possible mechanisms of their development. METHODS: We examined six patients with epilepsy whose brain MR imaging findings showed a discrete focal nonhemorrhagic lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum. The medical records and MR images were reviewed retrospectively with respect to the patients' clinical history, medication, and laboratory findings to determine the etiology of the lesion. RESULTS: In all six patients MR imaging showed a focal lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum, which was ovoid in shape and 15 to 19 mm in size. In the three patients who received contrast material, there was no enhancement of the lesion. Four of six patients had a history of medication with dilantin, in two of whom the level of serum dilantin was found to be elevated (22.3 μg/mL and 70.4 μg/mL, respectively). Vigabatrin was administered in three patients, one of whom took dilantin together with vigabatrin. In two patients, the focal lesion in the corpus callosum disappeared on follow-up MR images after withdrawal of dilantin and/or vigabatrin. CONCLUSION: A discrete, focal, ovoid, nonhemorrhagic lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum may be seen on brain MR images of patients with epilepsy. The lesion is considered to be reversible demyelination related to AEDs toxicity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)125-129
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology
Volume20
Issue number1
StatePublished - 1999

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