Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39665676›Full record

ArticleEpilepsia open2025

MRI findings in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: Prevalence, distribution, and classification of the findings. A single tertiary epilepsy center experience.

Aleix Jareno-Badenas, Mario Matute-González, Luis Pintor, Estefanía Conde-Blanco, Mar Carreño, Xavier Setoain, Camilo Pineda, Fernando Diego Choque-Chávez, Tomás Fernández, Núria Bargalló and 1 more

Abstract read
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Article in Epilepsia open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Aleix Jareno-BadenasRadiology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-7400-1637
Mario Matute-GonzálezRadiology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-4533-9345
Luis PintorPsychiatry Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-8730-7296
Estefanía Conde-BlancoNeurology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-7436-987X
Mar CarreñoNeurology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-3361-8427
Xavier SetoainNuclear Medicine Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-8675-971X
Camilo PinedaRadiology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0009-0001-8761-0113
Fernando Diego Choque-ChávezRadiology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-5201-7221
Tomás FernándezRadiology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-8922-2771
Núria BargallóRadiology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-6284-5402
Sofía González-OrtizRadiology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-2578-6671

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivePsychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) mimic epileptic seizures without electroencephalographic correlation. Although classified as psychiatric disorders, their neurobiological or structural basis remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of MRI abnormalities in patients with PNES and those with comorbid epilepsy, compared to the general population, to enhance radiological evaluation and management.

methodWe retrospectively identified patients with a definitive diagnosis of PNES, evaluated in the refractory epilepsy unit of our tertiary epilepsy center. Patients were classified into two groups according to their comorbidity with epilepsy (PNES and PNES+). The MRI findings were evaluated and classified by two radiologists, who reported the category of the findings, laterality, and location. The two groups were compared using the chi-square test, as well as the frequencies of findings in the general population extracted from the literature.

resultsForty-six patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Thirty females and 16 males. MRI findings were present in 25/35 (71.4%) patients in the PNES group and 9/11 (81.8%) In the PNES + group, showing statistically significant differences in the frequency of findings with the general population (8.4-28.1%). SIGNIFICANCE: MRI anomalies are common in PNES patients and even more prevalent in complex cases referred to epilepsy units, underscoring the necessity of correlating MRI findings with clinical-electrical patterns. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: In this article, we observed a higher frequency of cerebral magnetic resonance findings in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures than in the general population. We also observed a higher frequency of this pathology among women, as well as right cerebral hemisphere affections. The exposed findings suggest a potential structural basis of this pathology. This hypothesis requires confirmation with larger studies.

Indexed as

BrainEpilepsyMagnetic Resonance ImagingPsychophysiologic DisordersSeizuresAdolescentAdultElectroencephalographyFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceRetrospective StudiesTertiary Care CentersYoung Adultdissociationmagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)neuroimagingpsychogenic non‐epileptic seizures (PNES)

Identifiers

PMID39665676
PMCPMC11803282

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