Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (Jun 2020)

Identifying the Epileptogenic Zone With the Relative Strength of High-Frequency Oscillation: A Stereoelectroencephalography Study

  • Lei Qi,
  • Lei Qi,
  • Xing Fan,
  • Xing Fan,
  • Xiaorong Tao,
  • Xiaorong Tao,
  • Qi Chai,
  • Kai Zhang,
  • Kai Zhang,
  • Fangang Meng,
  • Fangang Meng,
  • Wenhan Hu,
  • Lin Sang,
  • Xiaoli Yang,
  • Hui Qiao,
  • Hui Qiao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2020.00186
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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BackgroundHigh-frequency oscillation (HFO) represents a promising biomarker of epileptogenicity. However, the significant interindividual differences among patients limit its application in clinical practice. Here, we applied and evaluated an individualized, frequency-based approach of HFO analysis in stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) data for localizing the epileptogenic zones (EZs).MethodsClinical and SEEG data of 19 patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy were retrospectively analyzed. The individualized spectral power of all signals recorded by electrode array, i.e., the relative strength of HFO, was computed with a wavelet method for each patient. Subsequently, the clinical value of the relative strength of HFO for identifying the EZ was evaluated.ResultsFocal increase in the relative strength of HFO in SEEG recordings were identified in all 19 patients. HFOs identified inside the clinically identified seizure onset zone had more spectral power than those identified outside (p < 0.001), and HFOs in 250–500 Hz band (fast ripples) seemed to be more specific identifying the EZ than in those in 80–250 Hz band (ripples) (p < 0.01). The resection of brain regions generating HFOs resulted in a favorable seizure outcome in 17 patients (17/19; 89.5%), while in the cases of other patients with poor outcomes, the brain regions generating HFOs were not removed completely.ConclusionThe relative strength of HFO, especially fast ripples, is a promising effective biomarker for identifying the EZ and can lead to a favorable seizure outcome if used to guide epilepsy surgery.

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