Sonographic Imaging of Foramen Ovale Electrodes

Objective . In patients with medically intractable partial epilepsy of mesiotemporal origin, video electroencephalographic monitoring with foramen ovale electrodes is necessary to plan neurosurgical interventions. Imaging of these electrodes after implantation hitherto required conventional radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography of the skull. These methods are expensive. Therefore, the aim of our work was to show the capability of more cost‐effective transcranial B‐mode sonography for visualization of the electrodes. Methods . In this pilot study, a 42‐year‐old female patient with implanted foramen ovale electrodes was examined transtemporally with a 2‐MHz sector transducer to visualize the intracranially implanted electroencephalographic recording device. Results . Foramen ovale electrodes could be detected easily in the patient, and bedside monitoring of explantation was possible. Conclusions . We were able to show the applicability of transcranial B‐mode sonography for visualization of foramen ovale electrodes in preoperative electroencephalographic monitoring of patients with epilepsy. Further evaluation of this method in additional patients will follow.