CORRELATION BETWEEN ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC CHANGES AND MRI CHARACTERISTICS IN PATIENTS WITH BRAIN TUMORS

Abstract

Objective of the study. To assess the relationship between electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities and the morphological characteristics of brain tumors according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data.

Materials and methods. The study included 100 patients (51 men, 49 women; mean age 43.3 years) with supratentorial brain tumors. Preoperative EEG indicators were evaluated: epileptiform discharges, theta–delta activity, asymmetry and focal slowing, reduced alpha reactivity, and lateralized changes. MRI evaluation included the severity of mass effect and perifocal edema, presence of contrast enhancement, minimal changes in visual areas, and subcortical localization. A correlation analysis was performed.

Results. Theta/delta waves and epileptiform activity were associated with pronounced mass effect (r = 0.82). Features of temporal epilepsy corresponded to tumors with contrast enhancement (r = 0.79). Rhythm asymmetry and focal slowing were more often observed with moderate mass effect (r = 0.45). Reduced alpha reactivity correlated with involvement of visual areas (r = 0.30). Lateralized activity corresponded to deep and subcortical tumors (r = 0.70).

Conclusion. EEG provides additional information about functional impairments in brain tumors and significantly correlates with morphological findings on MRI. The combination of these methods increases the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis and improves the prediction of complication risks.