Case report: precise mapping and epilepsy surgery of the Broca's area after a comprehensive OPM-MEG investigation of Broca's area localization

BACKGROUND: Optically pumped magnetometers magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG) have demonstrated their value in the diagnosis and mapping of epilepsy, as well as their advantages in pediatric applications. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of 8-year-old boy with drug-resistant epilepsy, whose epileptogenic lesion is in left Broca's region. The boy underwent language function evaluation and localization by on-scalp OPM-MEG before surgery. Dipole clusters and Dipole Density of epileptogenic signals by OPM-MEG were located in the left inferior frontal gyrus, though language verbal generation mapping of OPM-MEG signals were mainly located in left frontal orbital gyrus, indicating a localization of the language function area. Seizure freedom and no loss of language function were achieved after MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This article underscores the feasibility of using OPM-MEG to record abnormal discharges of seizure and assess language function area in children, especially in drug-resistant epilepsy surgery involving brain functional areas.