Vloga radiološkega inženirja pri izvajanju MR protokolov za epilepsijo: primerjava HARNESS protokola z obstoječo klinično prakso : diplomsko delo

Benedik Turk, Tjaša (author), Tucelj, Tanja (author), Podobnik, Janez (mentor), Dolenc, Laura (comentor), Žibert, Janez (reviewer)

Uvod: Epilepsija je ena najpogostejših nevroloških bolezni, za katero so značilni ponavljajoči se neizzvani epileptični napadi, ki nastanejo zaradi nenormalne električne aktivnosti v možganih. Magnetna resonanca ima ključno vlogo pri diagnostiki, saj omogoča natančen prikaz strukturnih sprememb, ki so lahko vzrok epileptičnih napadov. Za zanesljivo odkrivanje epileptogenih lezij je pomembna uporaba ustreznih MR protokolov. Namen: Namen diplomskega dela je predstaviti in primerjati MR protokole za diagnostiko epilepsije, ki se uporabljajo v klinični praksi v Ljubljani, z mednarodno priporočenim HARNESS protokolom ter opredeliti vlogo radiološkega inženirja pri njihovem izvajanju. Metode dela: Uporabili smo deskriptivno metodo s pregledom literature. Vire smo iskali v podatkovnih bazah Google Scholar, PubMed, COBISS in ScienceDirect. Vključili smo strokovne članke, objavljanje med letoma 2010 in 2026, ki obravnavajo MR diagnostiko epilepsije in HARNESS protokol. Primerjali smo štiri protokole glede na uporabljena zaporedja, prametre in čas trajanja preiskave. Rezultati: Analiza je pokazala, da vsi protokoli vključujejo osnovna zaporedja (T1, T2 in FLAIR) , ki omogočajo prikaz epileptogenih sprememb. Klinični protokoli pogosto vključujejo dodatna zaporedja, kot so DWI, SWI ali perfuzija, kar razširi diagnostične možnosti, vendar podaljša čas preiskave. HARNESS protokol temelji na treh ključnih zaporedjih (3D T1 MPRAGE, 3D FLAIR in T2 TSE v koronarni ravnini), kar omogoča visoko občutljivost ob krajšem času slikanja, približno 18 minut. Razprava in zaključek: MR slikanje je nepogrešljivo pri obravnavi epilepsije. HARNESS protokol ni nujno diagnostično natančnejši od obstoječih kliničnih protokolov, vendar prinaša večjo standardizacijo, boljšo ponovljivost in krajši čas preiskave, zaradi uporabe izotropnih 3D zaporedij omogoča tudi enostavnejše večravninske rekonstrukcije, kar lahko olajša delo radiološkemu inženirju. Njegova uporaba lahko prispeva k bolj enotnemu pristopu in učinkovitejši organizaciji dela, medtem ko je pri kompleksnejših primerih smiselna dopolnitev z dodatnimi zaporedji. Standardizirani protokoli omogočajo tudi boljšo primerljivost rezultatov med različnimi ustanovami in lažje spremljanje bolnikov skozi čas.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: diplomska dela, radiološka tehnologija, epilepsija, magnetna resonanca, MR protokol, HARNESS protokol, radiološki inženirji, diagnostika epilepsije
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.11 - Undergraduate Thesis
• Organization: ZF - Faculty of Health Sciences
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: [T. Benedik Turk : T. Tucelj]
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: IX, 29 str.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-187452
• UDC: 616-07
• COBISS.SI-ID: 290952451
• Publication date in RUL: 11.09.2026

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Radiologic technologist's role in implementing MRI protocols for epilepsy: comparing the HARNESS protocol and routine clinical practice : diploma work

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, characterised by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a key role in epilepsy diagnostics, as it enables precise visualisation of structural brain changes associated with epileptic seizures. Appropriate MRI protocols are essential for reliable detection of epileptogenic lesions. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to present and compare MRI protocols used in clinical practice in Ljubljana with the internationally recommended HARNESS protocol, and to define the role of the radiological technologist in their implementation. Methods: A descriptive method with a literature review was used. Sources were obtained from Google Scholar, PubMed, COBISS, and ScienceDirect. Professional articles published between 2010 and 2026 addressing MRI diagnostics of epilepsy and the HARNESS protocol were included. Four MRI protocols were compared according to the sequences used, examination parameters, and scan duration. Results: All analysed protocols included the basic MRI sequences T1, T2, and FLAIR, which are essential for detecting epileptogenic changes. Clinical protocols often incorporated additional sequences, such as DWI, SWI, or perfusion imaging, which broaden diagnostic possibilities but increase examination time. The HARNESS protocol is based on three key sequences (3D T1 MPRAGE, 3D FLAIR, and coronal T2 TSE), providing high diagnostic sensitivity with a reduced scan time of approximately 18 minutes. Discussion and Conclusion: MRI is essential in the management of epilepsy. While the HARNESS protocol is not necessarily diagnostically superior to existing clinical protocols, it offers greater standardisation, reproducibility, and shorter examination times. The use of isotropic 3D sequences also allows easier multiplanar reconstructions, which may assist radiological technologists. Standardised protocols improve comparability of results between institutions and enable more consistent long-term patient follow-up. In more complex clinical cases, additional MRI sequences remain justified to ensure comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

• Keywords: diploma theses, radiologic technology, epilepsy, magnetic resonance imaging, MRI protocol, HARNESS protocol, radiological technologists, epilepsy diagnosis