European trends in epilepsy surgery

ObjectiveResective surgery is effective in treating drug-resistant focal epilepsy, but it remains unclear whether improved diagnostics influence postsurgical outcomes. Here, we compared practice and outcomes over 2 periods 15 years apart.MethodsSixteen European centers retrospectively identified 2 cohorts of children and adults who underwent epilepsy surgery in the period of 1997 to 1998 (n = 562) or 2012 to 2013 (n = 736). Data collected included patient (sex, age) and disease (duration, localization and diagnosis) characteristics, type of surgery, histopathology, Engel postsurgical outcome, and complications, as well as imaging and electrophysiologic tests performed for each case. Postsurgical outcome predictors were included in a multivariate logistic regression to assess the strength of date of surgery as an independent predictor.ResultsOver time, the number of operated cases per center increased from a median of 31 to 50 per 2-year period (p = 0.02). Mean disease duration at surgery decreased by 5.2 years (p < 0.001). Overall seizure freedom (Engel class 1) increased from 66.7% to 70.9% (adjusted p = 0.04), despite an increase in complex surgeries (extratemporal and/or MRI negative). Surgeries performed during the later period were 1.34 times (adjusted odds ratio; 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.77) more likely to yield a favorable outcome (Engel class I) than earlier surgeries, and improvement was more marked in extratemporal and MRI-negative temporal epilepsy. The rate of persistent neurologic complications remained stable (4.6%–5.3%, p = 0.7).ConclusionImprovements in European epilepsy surgery over time are modest but significant, including higher surgical volume, shorter disease duration, and improved postsurgical seizure outcomes. Early referral for evaluation is required to continue on this encouraging trend.

Download Full-text

Results of Epilepsy Surgery: Still So Much to Learn

Epilepsy Currents ◽

10.1111/j.1535-7511.2006.00105.x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 80-82

Author(s):

Donna C. Bergen

Keyword(s):

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽

Epilepsy Surgery ◽

Disease Duration ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Hippocampal Atrophy ◽

Younger Age ◽

Seizure Relapse ◽

Clonic Seizures

Predicting Long-Term Seizure Outcome after Resective Epilepsy Surgery: The Multicenter Study Spencer SS, Berg AT, Vickrey BG, Sperling MR, Bazil CW, Shinnar S, Langfitt JT, Walczak TS, Pacia SV Neurology 2005;65(6):912–918 Background In a seven-center prospective observational study of resective epilepsy surgery, the authors examined probability and predictors of entering 2-year remission and the risk of subsequent relapse. Methods Patients aged 12 years and over were enrolled at time of referral for epilepsy surgery, and underwent standardized evaluation, treatment, and follow-up procedures. The authors defined seizure remission as 2 years completely seizure-free after hospital discharge with or without auras, and relapse as any seizures after 2-year remission. The authors examined type of surgery, seizure, clinical and demographic variables, and localization study results with respect to prediction of seizure remission or relapse, using χ2 and proportional hazards analysis. Results Of 396 operated patients, 339 were followed over 2 years, and 223 (66%) experienced 2-year remission, not significantly different between medial temporal (68%) and neocortical (50%) resections. In multivariable models, only absence of generalized tonic–clonic seizures and presence of hippocampal atrophy were significantly and independently associated with remission, and only in the medial temporal resection group. Fifty-five patients relapsed after 2-year remission, again not significantly different between medial temporal (25%) and neocortical (19%) resections. Only delay to remission predicted relapse, and only in medial temporal patients. Conclusion Hippocampal atrophy and a history of absence of generalized tonic clonic seizures were the sole predictors of 2-year remission, and only for medial temporal resections. Antiepileptic Drug Withdrawal after Successful Surgery for Intractable Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Kim YD, Heo K, Park SC, Huh K, Chang JW, Choi JU, Chung SS, Lee BI Epilepsia 2005;46(2):251–257 Purpose To investigate the prognosis related to antiepileptic drug (AED) discontinuation after successful surgery for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods The clinical courses after temporal lobectomies (TLs) were retrospectively analyzed in 88 consecutive patients. All the patients had TLs as the only surgical procedure, and they had been followed up for longer than 3 years. AED discontinuation was attempted if the patient had been seizure free without aura for ≥1 year during the follow-up period. Results Sixty-six (75%) patients achieved complete seizure freedom for ≥1 year; 28 patients were seizure free immediately after surgery (immediate success); and 38 patients became seizure free after some period of recurrent seizures (delayed success). AED discontinuation was attempted in 60 (91%) of 66 patients with a successful outcome. In 13 (22%) patients, seizure relapse developed during AED reduction ( n = 60), and in 7 (12%) patients after discontinuation of AEDs ( n = 38). The seizure recurrence rate was not different between the immediate- and delayed-success groups. Among 20 patients with seizure relapse related to AED tapering, 9 (45%) of them regained seizure freedom after reinstitution of AED treatment, and AEDs were eventually discontinued in 6 of them. Seizures that recurred after complete AED discontinuation had a better prognosis than did the seizures that recurred during AED reduction (seizure freedom in 86% vs 23%). At the final assessment, 54 (61%) patients had been seizure free ≥1 year; 37 without AEDs and 17 with AEDs. The successful discontinuation of AEDs was more frequent for patients with a younger age at the time of surgery and for those patients with shorter disease duration. Conclusions Our results suggest that seizure freedom without aura at ≥1 year is a reasonable indication for the attempt at AED discontinuation. The subsequent control of recurrent seizures was excellent, especially if seizures relapsed after the complete discontinuation of AEDs. Younger age at the time of surgery and a shorter disease duration seem to affect successful AED discontinuation for a long-term period.

Download Full-text

Factors associated with seizure and cognitive outcomes after epilepsy surgery for low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors in children

Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics ◽

10.3345/kjp.2019.01151 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (5) ◽

pp. 171-177

Author(s):

Ara Ko ◽

Joon Soo Lee

Keyword(s):

Epilepsy Surgery ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Cognitive Outcomes ◽

Optimal Time ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Low Grade ◽

Neuroepithelial Tumors ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Younger Age ◽

Poor Cognitive Function

Low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors (LEATs) are responsible for drug-resistant chronic focal epilepsy, and are the second-most common reason for epilepsy surgery in children. LEATs are extremely responsive to surgical treatment, and therefore epilepsy surgery should be considered as a treatment option for LEATs. However, the optimal time for surgery remains controversial, and surgeries are often delayed. In this review, we reviewed published article on the factors associated with seizure and cognitive outcomes after epilepsy surgery for LEATs in children to help clinicians in their decision whether to pursue epilepsy surgery for LEATs. The achievement of gross total resection may be the most important prognostic factor for seizure freedom. A shorter duration of epilepsy, a younger age at surgery, and extended resection of temporal lobe tumors have also been suggested as favorable prognostic factors in terms of seizure control. Poor cognitive function in children with LEATs is associated with a longer duration of epilepsy and a younger age at seizure onset.

Download Full-text

Outcome of lesional epilepsy surgery

Neurology Clinical Practice ◽

10.1212/cpj.0000000000000627 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 286-295 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jafar Mehvari Habibabadi ◽

Houshang Moein ◽

Reza Basiratnia ◽

Shervin Badihian ◽

Bagher Zaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epilepsy Surgery ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Postoperative Outcome ◽

Resource Poor Setting ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Mesial Temporal Sclerosis ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

BackgroundWe investigated the utility of epilepsy surgery and postoperative outcome in patients with lesional epilepsy in Iran, a relatively resource-poor setting.MethodsThis prospective longitudinal study was conducted during 2007–2017 in Kashani Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Isfahan, Iran. Patients with a diagnosis of intractable focal epilepsy, with MRI lesions, who underwent epilepsy surgery and were followed up ≥ 24 months, were included and evaluated for postoperative outcome.ResultsA total of 214 patients, with a mean age of 26.90 ± 9.82 years (59.8% men) were studied. Complex partial seizure was the most common type of seizure (85.9%), and 54.2% of the cases had auras. Temporal lobe lesions (75.2%) and mesial temporal sclerosis (48.1%) were the most frequent etiologies. With a mean follow-up of 62.17 ± 19.33 months, 81.8% of patients became seizure-free postoperatively. Anticonvulsants were reduced in 86% of the cases and discontinued in 40.7%. In keeping with previous studies, we found that seizure freedom rates were lower among patients with longer follow-up periods.ConclusionsWe found high rates of seizure freedom after surgery in lesional epilepsy patients despite limited facilities and infrastructure; antiepileptic medications were successfully tapered in almost half of the patients. Considering the favorable outcome of epilepsy surgery in our series, we believe that it is a major treatment option, even in less resource-intensive settings, and should be encouraged. Strategies to allow larger scale utility of epilepsy surgery in such settings in the developing world and dissemination of such knowledge may be considered an urgent clinical need, given the established mortality and morbidity in refractory epilepsy.

Download Full-text

Early and late epilepsy surgery in focal epilepsies associated with long-term epilepsy-associated tumors

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2016.9.jns161176 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 127 (5) ◽

pp. 1147-1152 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Veronica Pelliccia ◽

Francesco Deleo ◽

Francesca Gozzo ◽

Ivana Sartori ◽

Roberto Mai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Temporal Lobe ◽

Epilepsy Surgery ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Large Population ◽

Complete Resection ◽

Seizure Outcome ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Determinant Factors ◽

Associated Tumors

OBJECTIVEEpilepsy surgery is an effective means of treating focal epilepsy associated with long-term epilepsy-associated tumors. This study evaluated a large population of surgically treated patients with childhood onset of epilepsy and a histologically confirmed diagnosis of long-term epilepsy-associated tumors. The authors analyzed long-term seizure outcomes to establish whether the time of surgery and patients' ages were determinant factors.METHODSThe authors separately investigated several presurgical, surgical, and postsurgical variables in patients operated on before (pediatric group) and at or after (adult group) the age of 18 years. Patients with < 24 months of postsurgical follow-up were excluded from the analysis.RESULTSThe patients who underwent surgery before 18 years of age showed better seizure outcomes than those after 18 years of age (80% vs 53.3% Engel Class Ia outcome, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the only variables significantly associated with seizure freedom were complete resection of the lesion, a shorter duration of epilepsy, and temporal lobe resection.CONCLUSIONSThe findings of this study indicate that pediatric patients are more responsive to epilepsy surgery and that a shorter duration of epilepsy, complete resection, and a temporal lobe localization are determinant factors for a positive seizure outcome.

Download Full-text

Epilepsy surgery

Practical Neurology ◽

10.1136/practneurol-2019-002192 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. practneurol-2019-002192 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fergus Rugg-Gunn ◽

Anna Miserocchi ◽

Andrew McEvoy

Keyword(s):

Epilepsy Surgery ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Epileptogenic Zone ◽

Nuclear Medicine Imaging ◽

Co Morbidity ◽

Surgical Evaluation ◽

Clonic Seizures ◽

Eeg Recordings ◽

Electroencephalogram Eeg

Epilepsy surgery offers the chance of seizure remission for the 30%–40% of patients with focal epilepsy whose seizures continue despite anti-epileptic medications. Epilepsy surgery encompasses curative resective procedures, palliative techniques such as corpus callosotomy and implantation of stimulation devices. Pre-surgical evaluation aims to identify the epileptogenic zone and to prevent post-operative neurological and cognitive deficits. This entails optimal imaging, prolonged video-electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, and neuropsychological and psychiatric assessments; some patients may then require nuclear medicine imaging and intracranial EEG recording. The best outcomes are in those with an electro-clinically concordant structural lesion on MRI (60%–70% seizure freedom). Lower rates of seizure freedom are expected in people with extra-temporal lobe foci, focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, normal structural imaging, psychiatric co-morbidity and learning disability. Nevertheless, surgery for epilepsy is under-used and should be considered for all patients with refractory focal epilepsy in whom two or three anti-epileptic medications have been ineffective.

Download Full-text

The UK experience of stereoelectroencephalography in children: An analysis of factors predicting the identification of a seizure onset zone and subsequent seizure freedom

10.1101/2021.03.05.21252613 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Epilepsy Surgery ◽

Surgical Intervention ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Seizure Onset ◽

Operative Outcomes ◽

Seizure Onset Zone ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Uk

AbstractImportanceStereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) is more frequently being used in the pre-surgical evaluation of children with focal epilepsy. Many factors affect the rate of identification of a definable seizure onset zone (SOZ) and subsequent seizure freedom following SEEG-guided epilepsy surgery, which have not been systematically examined in multi-centre studies.ObjectivesDetermine the rates and factors that predict (a) whether or not a definable putative SOZ was identified on SEEG and (b) subsequent seizure freedom following surgical intervention.DesignRetrospective cohort studySettingMulticentre study involving 6 of 7 UK Children’s Epilepsy Surgery Service centres that perform paediatric SEEG in the UK.ParticipantsAll children undergoing SEEG from 2014 - March 2019 were included. Demographic, non-invasive evaluation, SEEG and operative factors were collected retrospectively from patient records.Main OutcomesThe two main outcome measures were (a) whether or not a definable putative SOZ was identified on SEEG (binary yes/no outcome) and (b) subsequent seizure freedom following surgical intervention (Engel classification)FindingsOne hundred and thirty-five patients underwent 139 SEEG explorations using a total of 1767 electrodes. A definable SOZ was identified in 117 patients (85.7%); odds of successfully finding a SOZ were 6.4x greater for non-motor seizures compared to motor seizures (p=0.02) and 3.6x more if ≥ 4 seizures were recorded during SEEG (p=0.03). Of 100 patients undergoing surgical treatment, 47 (47.0%) had an Engel class I outcome at a median follow-up of 1.3 years; the only factor associated with outcome was indication for SEEG (p=0.03). SEEG was safe with one (0.7%) haematoma requiring surgical evacuation and no long-term neurological deficits as a result of the procedure.Conclusions and RelevanceThis large nationally representative cohort illustrates that, in these patients who may not have otherwise been offered resective surgery, SEEG-guided surgery can still achieve high rates of seizure freedom. Seizure semiology and the number of seizures recorded during SEEG are important factors in the identification of a definable SOZ and the indication for SEEG is an important factor in post-operative outcomes.

Download Full-text

Az epilepsziasebészet eredményességének változása 2006 és 2016 között az Országos Klinikai Idegtudományi Intézetben

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/650.2021.31991 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 162 (6) ◽

pp. 219-226

Author(s):

Zsófia Jordán ◽

Boglárka Horváth ◽

Boglárka Hajnal ◽

László Halász ◽

Ákos Ujvári ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surgical Treatment ◽

Epilepsy Surgery ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Focal Cortical Dysplasia ◽

Hippocampal Sclerosis ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Presurgical Evaluation ◽

Temporal Localization ◽

Second Period

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés és célkitűzés: A terápiarezisztens fokális epilepsziák sebészeti kezelése elterjedten használt kezelési lehetőség. Célunk az epilepsziasebészet-hatékonyság változásának vizsgálata egy évtizednyi távlatból a budapesti centrumban. Módszerek: Az Országos Klinikai Idegtudományi Intézetben reszektív epilepsziasebészeti beavatkozásokon átesett fokális epilepsziás betegek adatai kerültek feldolgozásra. A vizsgált 10 év beteganyagát két periódusra osztottuk a műtét időpontja szerint (2006–2010 és 2011–2016). Vizsgálati szempontjaink: demográfiai adatok, az epilepszia kezdete és típusa, mágnesesrezonancia-lelet, preoperatív rohamfrekvencia, műtéttípus és szövettani lelet. Az epileptológiai kimenetelt az Engel-klasszifikáció alapján értékeltük. Eredmények: Epilepsziasebészeti beavatkozás 187 betegen történt, akik közül 137-nél került sor reszekciós műtétre. A betegek 65%-ában temporalis, 18%-ában frontalis, míg 7%-ában olyan multilobaris epilepszia igazolódott, mely a temporalis vagy a frontalis lebenyt érintette. Teljes rohammentességet (Engel I/A) az 1. évben 68%-ban, a 2. évben 64%-ban, míg az 5. évben 63%-ban mértünk. A két intervallum összehasonlításakor az 1 éves rohammentesség aránya 60%-ról (temporalis: 67%, extratemporalis: 50%) 73%-ra (temporalis: 79%, extratemporalis: 62%) javult a második periódusban. Az etiológia szempontjából a hippocampalis sclerosis aránya 28%-ról 14%-ra csökkent, a fokális corticalis dysplasiák aránya 22%-ról 31%-ra növekedett. Következtetés: A sebészeti kezelés fokális epilepsziák esetén – alapos előzetes kivizsgálást követően – általában biztonságos és a legnagyobb arányban sikeres beavatkozás. A legkedvezőbb kimenetel temporalis lokalizációban érhető el. A hatékonyság az évek során egyre javuló tendenciát mutatott az egyre nehezebb sebészeti esetek ellenére. Ez magyarázható a sebészeti technikák fejlődésével, illetve a jobb, műtét előtti elektrofiziológiai és képalkotó technikákkal, amelyek bevezetésével pontosabb lokalizáció adható. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(6): 219–226. Summary. Introduction and objective: The surgical treatment of medically intractable focal epilepsies is a well established practice. Our aim was to examine the efficacy of epilepsy surgery within a decade long period in our centre in Budapest. Methods: Data of drug-resistant patients with resective epilepsy surgery in the National Institute of Clinical Neurosciences were evaluated. The examined 10-year period was divided based on the year of the operation in two parts (2006–2010 and 2011–2016). The following data were collected: demography, beginning and type of epilepsy, magnetic resonance, preoperative seizure frequency, type of surgery and histology. Epileptological outcome was based on modified Engel’s classification. Results: Out of 187 surgeries, we identified 137 patients with resective intervention: 65% temporal lobe, 18% frontal, and 7% multilobar epilepsy. Seizure-freedom (Engel I/A) was 68% in the first postoperative year, 64% in the second, and 63% in the fifth year. In the first period, 1-year seizure freedom was 60% (temporal: 67% extratemporal: 50%), while in the second period it was 73% (temporal 79%, extratemporal 62%). Hippocampal sclerosis ratio dropped from 28% to 14%, while focal cortical dysplasia ratio increased from 22% to 31%. Conclusion: Surgical treatment in focal epilepsy – after thorough presurgical evaluation – is generally safe and successful. The most favorable outcome is in temporal localization. The efficacy tended to improve over time despite of the more challenging cases. This can be explained with the development of surgical techniques and improvement of presurgical localization. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(6): 219–226.

Download Full-text

Lost in Transition: The Long and Winding Road Toward Epilepsy Surgery—An Analysis of Obstacles Prior to Surgery and Call for Orchestrated Health Care Efforts in Epilepsy

Journal of Pediatric Neurology ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1715503 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (06) ◽

pp. 286-291

Author(s):

Wolfgang Graf ◽

Burkhard S. Kasper ◽

Sunjay Sharma ◽

Ekkehard M. Kasper

Keyword(s):

Epilepsy Surgery ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Average Duration ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Epileptogenic Zone ◽

Careful Patient ◽

Successful Approach ◽

Structural Lesion ◽

The Moment ◽

Cerebral Convolutions

AbstractDifficult-to-treat epilepsy is defined as ongoing seizures despite adequate pharmacological treatment. This condition is affecting a significant percentage of epilepsy patients and is estimated to be as high as one-third of all patients. Epilepsy surgery, targeting the removal of the key parts of cerebral convolutions responsible for seizure generation and often including a structural lesion, can be a very successful approach. However, this necessitates careful patient selection by comprehensive investigations, proving the localization of the epileptogenic zone as well as measures to make such surgeries safe. With careful selection as a prerequisite, the percentage of patients achieving seizure freedom by neurosurgical intervention is high, approximating two-thirds of all epilepsy surgeries performed. In contrast, the average duration of a patient's pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy prior to surgery anywhere around the globe is around 20 years. Given that typical patients are ∼30 to 40 years of age at the time of surgery, many patients have been living with chronic seizures since childhood or adolescence. This means that most of these patients have been going through several stages of medical care for years or even decades, both as children and adults, without ever being fully investigated and/or selected for surgery which is concerning. Yet, there is no set standard for a timeline leading toward successful surgery in epilepsy. It is obvious that the average transit period from the moment of first seizure manifestation until the day of successful surgery takes much too long. This is the reason why we see these patients lost in transition.

Download Full-text

Evaluation and outcomes of paediatric epilepsy surgery in Singapore: A single-centre audit

Neurology Asia ◽

10.54029/2021zpd ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 509-520

Author(s):

Si Qi Tan ◽

Adeline Seow Fen Ngoh ◽

Wai Hoe Ng ◽

Wanying Xie ◽

Janardhan Krishnappa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epilepsy Surgery ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Temporal Lobectomy ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Corpus Callosotomy ◽

Single Centre ◽

Common Data Elements ◽

Drop Attacks ◽

Paediatric Epilepsy

Background: Paediatric epilepsy surgery reduces seizure burden in drug-refractory epilepsy reducing long-term neurocognitive damage. Methods: Single-centre retrospective audit of pre-surgical evaluations and outcomes of the paediatric epilepsy and epilepsy surgery programme over eleven years at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore. Data were collected based on National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Common Data Elements guidelines. Outcome was categorized using Engel classification scale, and favourable outcome defined as greater than 50% decrease in seizure frequency or drop attacks. Results: Thirty-three children underwent epilepsy surgery, with mean follow-up 3.8±3.1 years. Median age at surgery was 10.9 years. Twenty-four children with focal epilepsy underwent resection of the epileptogenic focus, including lesionectomy (n=8), anterior temporal lobectomy (n=7), extratemporal lobectomy (n=7) and hemispherectomy (n=2). Nine children underwent corpus callosotomy for Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (n=8) and West Syndrome (n=1). Median hospital stay duration was ten days. All twenty-three focal epilepsy patients with minimum three-month follow-up achieved greater than 50% seizure reduction. Fifteen (65%) focal epilepsy patients achieved seizure-freedom (Engel Class IA) after first surgeries. Four patients required second surgeries, with two achieving seizure-freedom. Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) is beneficial. All nine corpus callosotomy patients (100%) achieved greater than 50% decrease in drop attacks. Number of antiepileptic drugs was weaned for 21/32 (66%) patients. Post-operative complications were low and some patients had anticipated neurological deficits. Outcomes were comparable to current literature. Conclusions: In well-selected candidates with tailored evaluation, paediatric epilepsy surgery is a safe therapeutic option with favourable outcomes and can be performed across the entire paediatric age range.

Download Full-text

Value of ultra-high field MRI in patients with suspected focal epilepsy and negative 3 T MRI (EpiUltraStudy): protocol for a prospective, longitudinal therapeutic study

Neuroradiology ◽

10.1007/s00234-021-02884-8 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

R. H. G. J. van Lanen ◽

C. J. Wiggins ◽

A. J. Colon ◽

W. H. Backes ◽

J. F. A. Jansen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epilepsy Surgery ◽

High Field ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Good Clinical Practice ◽

Lesion Detection ◽

Seizure Outcome ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Ultra High Field ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Purpose Resective epilepsy surgery is a well-established, evidence-based treatment option in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. A major predictive factor of good surgical outcome is visualization and delineation of a potential epileptogenic lesion by MRI. However, frequently, these lesions are subtle and may escape detection by conventional MRI (≤ 3 T). Methods We present the EpiUltraStudy protocol to address the hypothesis that application of ultra-high field (UHF) MRI increases the rate of detection of structural lesions and functional brain aberrances in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who are candidates for resective epilepsy surgery. Additionally, therapeutic gain will be addressed, testing whether increased lesion detection and tailored resections result in higher rates of seizure freedom 1 year after epilepsy surgery. Sixty patients enroll the study according to the following inclusion criteria: aged ≥ 12 years, diagnosed with drug-resistant focal epilepsy with a suspected epileptogenic focus, negative conventional 3 T MRI during pre-surgical work-up. Results All patients will be evaluated by 7 T MRI; ten patients will undergo an additional 9.4 T MRI exam. Images will be evaluated independently by two neuroradiologists and a neurologist or neurosurgeon. Clinical and UHF MRI will be discussed in the multidisciplinary epilepsy surgery conference. Demographic and epilepsy characteristics, along with postoperative seizure outcome and histopathological evaluation, will be recorded. Conclusion This protocol was reviewed and approved by the local Institutional Review Board and complies with the Declaration of Helsinki and principles of Good Clinical Practice. Results will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences. Trial registration number www.trialregister.nl: NTR7536.

Download Full-text