Epilepsy is a clinical syndrome characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures caused by various etiologies. Etiological diagnosis and localization of the epileptogenic focus are of great importance in the treatment of epilepsy. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) technology plays a significant role in the etiological diagnosis and localization of the epileptogenic focus in epilepsy. It also guides the treatment of epilepsy, predicts the prognosis, and helps physicians intervene earlier and improve the quality of life of patients. With the continuous development of PET-CT technology, more hope and better treatment options will be provided for epilepsy patients. This article will review the guiding role of PET-CT technology in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, providing insights into its application in etiological diagnosis, preoperative assessment of the condition, selection of treatment plans, and prognosis of epilepsy.
Epilepsy, as a common neurological disorder in childhood, requires early diagnosis and intervention that are crucial for improving disease prognosis. Although traditional techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have made progress in pediatric epilepsy diagnosis and treatment, significant limitations remain in imaging-negative cases and in identifying deep lesions. Magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive neurophysiological technique with both high temporal and spatial resolution, has recently demonstrated unique advantages in localizing epileptogenic zones, analyzing functional connectivity, and identifying brain functional areas in children with epilepsy. In particular, the next-generation MEG systems based on optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) have significantly broadened its applicability in pediatric populations. Nonetheless, practical use of OPM-MEG remains hindered by challenges such as non-standardized signal processing workflows, lack of agreement on dependable electrophysiological biomarkers, and the relatively high cost of devices. In the future, with continuous advances in multimodal integration, wearable device incorporation, and AI-assisted analysis, MEG is expected to achieve broader application in pediatric epilepsy diagnosis and treatment.
