Seizure Surgery

Author(s):  
Caroll N. Vazquez-Colon ◽  
Srijaya K. Reddy

Epilepsy is a disorder of the nervous system that affects over 2 million people worldwide, with the highest incidence in children. Surgical management of a child with refractory epilepsy may result in improved seizure control and better quality of life. The perioperative management of the pediatric patient for seizure surgery presents a considerable challenge to the anesthesiologist. Primary concerns include the interactions of antiepileptic medications with anesthetic drugs, the effects of anesthetic agents and medications on intraoperative neuromonitoring, and management of seizures while under anesthesia. This chapter will focus on anesthetic concerns and management for pediatric patients presenting for seizure surgery.

Author(s):  
Tara A. Lynch ◽  
J. Christopher Glantz

Medication use in pregnancy requires a careful balance between the risks of fetal teratogenicity and the maternal benefits of disease treatment. For women with epilepsy, there are many antiepileptic medications available for use in pregnancy. Each varies in their safety profile, risk for fetal anomalies, and effectiveness of seizure control. In most scenarios, the benefits of maternal treatment outweigh the risk of fetal effects, especially in cases of refractory epilepsy or severe disease. Many of the newer anti-epileptic drugs appear to have less teratogenic risk than the older medications. The ideal AED is one that is effective from the woman, is least teratogenic, and used at the lowest possible dose. Overall, a detailed understanding of antiepileptic efficacy, the pharmacologic differences in pregnancy, and the potential adverse fetal effects are required for optimal treatment of pregnant patients with epilepsy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gan You ◽  
Zhiyi Sha ◽  
Tao Jiang

Gliomas account for more than half of all adult primary brain tumors. Epilepsy is the most common initial clinical presentation in gliomas. Glioma related epilepsy (GRE) is defined as symptomatic epileptic seizures secondary to gliomas, occurring in nearly 50% in high-grade glioma (HGG) patients and up to 90% in patients with low-grade glioma (LGG). Uncontrolled seizures, which have major impact on patients’ quality of life, are caused by multiple factors. Although the anti-seizure medications (ASMs), chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also beneficial for seizure treatment, the overall seizure control for GRE continue to be unsatisfactory. Due to the close relationship between GRE and glioma, surgical resection is often the treatment of choice not only for the tumor treatment, but also for the seizure control. Despite aggressive surgical treatment, there are about 30% of patients continue to have poor seizure control postoperatively. Furthermore, the diagnostic criteria for GRE is not well established. In this review, we propose an algorithm for the diagnosis and perioperative management for GRE.


Author(s):  
S Boles ◽  
R Webster ◽  
S Parnel ◽  
J Murray ◽  
S Ieradi ◽  
...  

Background: The classic ketogenic diet is the main non-pharmacological treatment for refractory epilepsy; however, adherence is often challenging. The low glycemic index diet (LGID) is less strict, almost equally effective, and associated with improved adherence. Little is known about the quality of life of children treated with LGID. The objective of this study was to explore changes in the quality of life of children with epilepsy transitioning to the LGID. Methods: Patients on LGID and their parents filled out Pediatric Quality of Life Epilepsy Module questionnaires; one while being on the LGID, and one retrospectively for the time prior to starting the LGID. Results: Data was collected from five children ages 3-13 and their parents. Complete seizure control was seen in two children, >50% seizure reduction in one, and no change in two children. Parental reported quality of life while on the LGID increased with two participants but decreased in all child self reports. Conclusions: Although the LGID led to improved seizure control in three out of five patients, the child-reported quality of life decreased in all children. Larger prospective studies are warranted to reliably assess the impact of the LGID on the quality of life in children with epilepsy.


2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Pirio Richardson ◽  
Sarah Tomaszewski Farias ◽  
Anthony R. Lima III ◽  
Taoufik M. Alsaadi

2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Ramantani ◽  
T Bast ◽  
T Gerstner ◽  
G Wiegand ◽  
K Strobl ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Zimmerman ◽  
Bobby May ◽  
Katherine Barnes ◽  
Anastasia Arynchyna ◽  
Elizabeth N. Alford ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEHydrocephalus is a chronic medical condition that has a significant impact on children and their caregivers. The objective of this study was to measure the quality of life (QOL) of children with hydrocephalus, as assessed by both caregivers and patients.METHODSPediatric patients with hydrocephalus and their caregivers were enrolled during routine neurosurgery clinic visits. The Hydrocephalus Outcomes Questionnaire (HOQ), a report of hydrocephalus-related QOL, was administered to both children with hydrocephalus (self-report) and their caregivers (proxy report about the child). Patients with hydrocephalus also completed measures of anxiety, depression, fatigue, traumatic stress, and headache. Caregivers completed a proxy report of child traumatic stress and a measure of caregiver burden. Demographic information was collected from administration of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (version 2.0) and from the medical record. Child and caregiver HOQ scores were analyzed and correlated with clinical, demographic, and psychological variables.RESULTSThe mean overall HOQ score (parent assessment of child QOL) was 0.68. HOQ Physical Health, Social-Emotional Health, and Cognitive Health subscore averages were 0.69, 0.73, and 0.54, respectively. The mean overall child self-assessment (cHOQ) score was 0.77, with cHOQ Physical Health, Social-Emotional Health, and Cognitive Health subscore means of 0.84, 0.79, and 0.66, respectively. Thirty-nine dyads were analyzed, in which both a child with hydrocephalus and his or her caregiver completed the cHOQ and HOQ. There was a positive correlation between parent and child scores (p < 0.004 for all subscores). Child scores were consistently higher than parent scores. Variables that showed association with caregiver-assessed QOL in at least one domain included child age, etiology of hydrocephalus, and history of endoscopic third ventriculostomy. There was a significant negative relationship (rho −0.48 to −0.60) between child-reported cHOQ score and child-reported measures of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. There was a similar significant relationship between caregiver report of child’s QOL (HOQ) and caregiver assessment of the child’s posttraumatic stress symptoms as well as their assessment of burden of care (rho = −0.59 and rho = −0.51, respectively). No relationship between parent-reported HOQ and child-reported psychosocial factors was significant. No clinical or demographic variables were associated with child self-assessed cHOQ.CONCLUSIONSPediatric patients with hydrocephalus consistently rate their own QOL higher than their caregivers do. Psychological factors such as anxiety and posttraumatic stress may be associated with lower QOL. These findings warrant further exploration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33
Author(s):  
Jonathan Roth ◽  
Or Bercovich ◽  
Ashton Roach ◽  
Francesco T. Mangano ◽  
Arvind C. Mohan ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEResection of brain tumors may lead to new-onset seizures but may also reduce seizure rates in patients presenting with seizures. Seizures are seen at presentation in about 24% of patients with brain tumors. For lesional epilepsy in general, early resection is associated with improved seizure control. However, the literature is limited regarding the occurrence of new-onset postoperative seizures, or rates of seizure control in those presenting with seizures, following resections of extratemporal low-grade gliomas (LGGs) in children.METHODSData were collected retrospectively from 4 large tertiary centers for children (< 18 years of age) who underwent resection of a supratentorial extratemporal (STET) LGG. The patients were divided into 4 groups based on preoperative seizure history: no seizures, up to 2 seizures, more than 2 seizures, and uncontrolled or refractory epilepsy. The authors analyzed the postoperative occurrence of seizures and the need for antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) over time for the various subgroups.RESULTSThe study included 98 children. Thirty patients had no preoperative seizures, 18 had up to 2, 16 had more than 2, and 34 had refractory or uncontrolled epilepsy. The risk for future seizures was higher if the patient had seizures within 1 month of surgery. The risk for new-onset seizures among patients with no seizures prior to surgery was low. The rate of seizures decreased over time for children with uncontrolled or refractory seizures. The need for AEDs was higher in the more active preoperative seizure groups; however, it decreased with time.CONCLUSIONSThe resection of STET LGGs in children is associated with a low rate of postoperative new-onset epilepsy. For children with preoperative seizures, even with uncontrolled epilepsy, most have a significant improvement in the seizure activity, and many may be weaned off their AEDs.


BJS Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chan Hee Koh ◽  
Nicolai Gruner-Hegge ◽  
Dancho Ignatov ◽  
Aneesul Shakir ◽  
Chan Hee Koh

Abstract Introduction The international consensus statement on perioperative management of anaemia advises that patients with haemoglobin (Hb) &lt;130 be treated before undergoing elective operations. The advantages include reduced risk of acute kidney injuries, infections and transfusions, and quicker recovery. Methods Data was collected prospectively from 127 consecutive patients undergoing elective arthroplasties at Hinchingbrooke hospital. Baseline compliance with the consensus statement was first assessed in May 2018, and the results presented at a clinical governance meeting. Departmental action plans included early identification of anaemia and treatment to Hb 130, delaying operations where necessary. We then reassessed compliance in May 2019. Results There was a statistically significant change in practice (p = 0.036). The proportion of patients undergoing arthroplasties despite Hb &lt; 130 reduced from 38% to 21%. Those operated with Hb &lt; 120 decreased from 14% to 0%. The proportion of preoperative anaemias that were appropriately investigated during preoperative assessment increased from 11% to 80% (p &lt; 0.001). The increase in attempted treatment of preoperative anaemia prior to surgery however was not significant (7% vs 20%; p = 0.279). Discussion Implementation of departmental action plans resulted in substantial improvements to clinical practice. For those that underwent arthroplasties despite mild preoperative anaemia, it may have been felt that delays in improvement to quality of life for treatment may be unacceptable, or the causes (e.g. chronic disease) difficult to treat. Further action plans should involve even earlier identification of anaemia, involving primary care at the point of referral.


2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Geat ◽  
Mattia Giovannini ◽  
Ezio Gabriele Barlocco ◽  
Riccardo Pertile ◽  
Stefania Farina ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Several studies have investigated the efficacy of balneotherapy in atopic dermatitis (AD), including a pediatric open randomized clinical trial conducted at the Comano thermal spring water center, which showed a significant reduction in AD severity and an improvement of the quality of life. However, so far many studies on balneotherapy in pediatric AD have included relatively small populations without identifying patients’ characteristics associated with their response. The aim of the present study was to identify any features associated with the clinical response to the Comano thermal spring water balneotherapy in a large cohort of pediatric AD patients. Methods An observational study was conducted on 867 children aged ≤16 years (females 50.5%, mean patient’s age 5.9 years, standard deviation ±3.6 years) with mild to severe AD who underwent balneotherapy at the Comano thermal spring water center (Comano, Trentino, Italy) from April to October 2014. Patients were stratified according to their disease severity, which was evaluated using five SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) categories before and immediately after a thermal spring water balneotherapy course. Potential characteristics associated with the patients’ clinical response to Comano thermal spring water balneotherapy were investigated. Results A statistically significant improvement in AD severity was observed after Comano thermal spring water balneotherapy (p < 0.0001). A significantly higher percentage of patients achieving improvement in AD severity was reported among children ≤4 years old (p < 0.0001) with early-onset AD (p < 0.0001), severe AD (p < 0.0001) or coexistent reported food allergies (p < 0.01). The therapy was well tolerated, and no relevant adverse effects were reported during the treatment course. Conclusions Comano thermal spring water balneotherapy is a safe complementary treatment for pediatric patients with AD, as it was able to reduce the disease severity, especially in children ≤4 years old, with early onset AD, severe AD or concomitant food allergies.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Fei Liu ◽  
Chunyue Feng ◽  
Huijun Shen ◽  
Huaidong Fu ◽  
Jianhua Mao

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited kidney disorder, accounting for approximately 5% of all ESRD cases worldwide. As a vasopressin receptor 2 antagonist, tolvaptan is the FDA-approved therapeutic agent for ADPKD, which is only made available to a limited number of adult patients; however, its efficacy in pediatric patients has not been reported widely. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> Tolvaptan was shown to delay ADPKD progression in the Tolvaptan Efficacy and Safety in Management of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease and Its Outcomes (TEMPO) 3:4 study, Replicating Evidence of Preserved Renal Function: an Investigation of Tolvaptan Safety and Efficacy in ADPKD (REPRISE) trial, and other clinical studies. In addition to its effects on aquaretic adverse events and alanine aminotransferase elevation, the effect of tolvaptan on ADPKD is clear, sustained, and cumulative. While ADPKD is a progressive disease, the early intervention has been shown to be important and beneficial in hypotheses as well as in trials. The use of tolvaptan in pediatric ADPKD involves the following challenges: patient assessment, quality of life assessment, cost-effectiveness, safety, and tolerability. The ongoing, phase 3b, 2-part study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02964273) on the evaluation of tolvaptan in pediatric ADPKD (patients aged 12–17 years) may help obtain some insights. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> This review focuses on the rationality of tolvaptan use in pediatric patients with ADPKD, the associated challenges, and the suggested therapeutic approaches.


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