Uncommon occipital ganglioglioma in a child: The critical role of MRI in diagnosis and management

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder in children, with 30-35% of cases developing into intractable epilepsy despite appropriate anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Advanced imaging is crucial for early diagnosis, especially in detecting structural causes like gangliogliomas, which are associated with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. We report a 5-year-old boy with recurrent seizures, initially undetected by EEG. Persistent seizures led to the identification of an occipital lobe ganglioglioma through MRI. The tumor was successfully resected, significantly improving the patient's condition. This case emphasizes the limitations of relying solely on EEG for epilepsy diagnosis and highlights the necessity of integrating advanced imaging techniques. The successful outcome underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, involving pediatric neurologists, radiologists, and neurosurgeons, in managing complex pediatric epilepsy cases.