Stereoelectroencephalography Following Subdural Grid Placement for Difficult to Localize Epilepsy

Neurosurgery ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 723-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumeet Vadera ◽  
Jeffrey Mullin ◽  
Juan Bulacio ◽  
Imad Najm ◽  
William Bingaman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perioperative Complications ◽  
Temporal Lobectomy ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Coverage Area ◽  
Eloquent Cortex ◽  
Seizure Localization ◽  
Type Of Surgery

Abstract BACKGROUND: Despite the use of invasive subdural recording, failure to localize or resect the epileptogenic zone (EZ) occurs. Potential causes for this include EZ originating outside of the subdural grid coverage area, involvement of eloquent cortex, or complications requiring removal of electrodes without seizure localization. No study has examined the safety and efficacy of stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) after subdural grid placement. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of SEEG in patients who have previously undergone subdural grid placement. METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed on 14 patients who had subdural grid evaluation and underwent subsequent SEEG monitoring. The follow-up period after the SEEG-guided resections ranged from 11 months to 34 months with an average follow-up of 20.1 months. Magnetic resonance imaging findings, EZ localization, outcomes, type of surgery, and perioperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Ten patients (71%) underwent a resection after SEEG reimplantation. Of the 4 patients (29%) not undergoing resection, 2 had seizures arising from eloquent cortex, 1 had bitemporal epilepsy, and 1 had a previous temporal lobectomy contralateral to the EZ. An estimate of the EZ was achieved in all patients based on interictal and ictal recordings. In patients undergoing resection, 60% were seizure-free at 11 months. Perioperative complications were minimal and included 1 abscess, which required burr-hole drainage and antibiotics. CONCLUSION: SEEG is a safe and effective method after subdural grid placement is inconclusive, providing an additional opportunity for seizure freedom in this highly challenging group of patients.

Stereoelectroencephalography in Children and Adolescents With Difficult-to-Localize Refractory Focal Epilepsy

Neurosurgery ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Gonzalez-Martinez ◽  
Jeffrey Mullin ◽  
Juan Bulacio ◽  
Ajay Gupta ◽  
Rei Enatsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Early Experience ◽  
Morbidity Rate ◽  
Seizure Outcome ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Eloquent Cortex

Abstract BACKGROUND: Although stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) has been shown to be a valuable tool for preoperative decision making in focal epilepsy, there are few reports addressing the utility and safety of SEEG methodology applied to children and adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To present the results of our early experience using SEEG in pediatric patients with difficult-to-localize epilepsy who were not considered candidates for subdural grid evaluation. METHODS: Thirty children and adolescents with the diagnosis of medically refractory focal epilepsy (not considered ideal candidates for subdural grids and strip placement) underwent SEEG implantation. Demographics, electrophysiological localization of the hypothetical epileptogenic zone, complications, and seizure outcome after resections were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (60%) underwent resections after SEEG implantations. In patients who did not undergo resections (12 patients), reasons included failure to localize the epileptogenic zone (4 patients); multifocal epileptogenic zone (4 patients); epileptogenic zone located in eloquent cortex, preventing resection (3 patients); and improvement in seizures after the implantation (1 patient). In patients who subsequently underwent resections, 10 patients (55.5%) were seizure free (Engel class I) and 5 patients (27.7%) experienced seizure improvement (Engel class II or III) at the end of the follow-up period (mean, 25.9 months; range, 12 to 47 months). The complication rate in SEEG implantations was 3%. CONCLUSION: The SEEG methodology is safe and should be considered in children/adolescents with difficult-to-localize epilepsy. When applied to highly complex and difficult-to-localize pediatric patients, SEEG may provide an additional opportunity for seizure freedom in association with a low morbidity rate.

scholarly journals Temporal plus epilepsy is a major determinant of temporal lobe surgery failures

Brain ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
pp. 444-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Barba ◽  
Sylvain Rheims ◽  
Lorella Minotti ◽  
Marc Guénot ◽  
Dominique Hoffmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Hippocampal Sclerosis ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
Temporal Lobectomy ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Anterior Temporal Lobectomy

Abstract See Engel (doi:10.1093/awv374) for a scientific commentary on this article.  Reasons for failed temporal lobe epilepsy surgery remain unclear. Temporal plus epilepsy, characterized by a primary temporal lobe epileptogenic zone extending to neighboured regions, might account for a yet unknown proportion of these failures. In this study all patients from two epilepsy surgery programmes who fulfilled the following criteria were included: (i) operated from an anterior temporal lobectomy or disconnection between January 1990 and December 2001; (ii) magnetic resonance imaging normal or showing signs of hippocampal sclerosis; and (iii) postoperative follow-up ≥ 24 months for seizure-free patients. Patients were classified as suffering from unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy, bitemporal epilepsy or temporal plus epilepsy based on available presurgical data. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate the probability of seizure freedom over time. Predictors of seizure recurrence were investigated using Cox proportional hazards model. Of 168 patients included, 108 (63.7%) underwent stereoelectroencephalography, 131 (78%) had hippocampal sclerosis, 149 suffered from unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy (88.7%), one from bitemporal epilepsy (0.6%) and 18 (10.7%) from temporal plus epilepsy. The probability of Engel class I outcome at 10 years of follow-up was 67.3% (95% CI: 63.4–71.2) for the entire cohort, 74.5% (95% CI: 70.6–78.4) for unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy, and 14.8% (95% CI: 5.9–23.7) for temporal plus epilepsy. Multivariate analyses demonstrated four predictors of seizure relapse: temporal plus epilepsy (P < 0.001), postoperative hippocampal remnant (P = 0.001), past history of traumatic or infectious brain insult (P = 0.022), and secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (P = 0.023). Risk of temporal lobe surgery failure was 5.06 (95% CI: 2.36–10.382) greater in patients with temporal plus epilepsy than in those with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy. Temporal plus epilepsy represents a hitherto unrecognized prominent cause of temporal lobe surgery failures. In patients with temporal plus epilepsy, anterior temporal lobectomy appears very unlikely to control seizures and should not be advised. Whether larger resection of temporal plus epileptogenic zones offers greater chance of seizure freedom remains to be investigated.

scholarly journals Seizure Freedom in Temporal Plus Epilepsy Surgery Following Stereo-Electroencephalography

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-381
Author(s):  
Juan S. Bottan ◽  
Ana Suller Marti ◽  
Andrew G. Parrent ◽  
Keith W. MacDougall ◽  
Richard S. McLachlan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Temporal Lobectomy ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Small Case Series ◽  
Adjacent Structures

ABSTRACT:Background:“Temporal plus” epilepsy (TPE) is a term that is used when the epileptogenic zone (EZ) extends beyond the boundaries of the temporal lobe. Stereotactic electroencephalography (SEEG) has been essential to identify additional EZs in adjacent structures that might be part of the temporal lobe/limbic network.Objective:We present a small case series of temporal plus cases successfully identified by SEEG who were seizure-free after resective surgery.Methods:We conducted a retrospective analysis of 156 patients who underwent SEEG in 5 years. Six cases had TPE and underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) with additional extra-temporal resections.Results:Five cases had a focus on the right hemisphere and one on the left. Three cases were non-lesional and three were lesional. Mean follow-up time since surgery was 2.9 years (SD ± 1.8). Three patients had subdural electrodes investigation prior or in addition to SEEG. All patients underwent standard ATL and additional extra-temporal resections during the same procedure or at a later date. All patients were seizure-free at their last follow-up appointment (Engel Ia = 3; Engel Ib = 2; Engel Ic = 1). Pathology was nonspecific/gliosis for all six cases.Conclusion:TPE might explain some of the failures in temporal lobe epilepsy surgery. We present a small case series of six patients in whom SEEG successfully identified this phenomenon and surgery proved effective.

Long-term seizure outcomes after pediatric temporal lobectomy: does brain MRI lesion matter?

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-208
Author(s):  
Ravindra Arya ◽  
Francesco T. Mangano ◽  
Paul S. Horn ◽  
Sabrina K. Kaul ◽  
Serena K. Kaul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Hippocampal Sclerosis ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Temporal Lobectomy ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Seizure Onset

OBJECTIVEThere is emerging data that adults with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) without a discrete lesion on brain MRI have surgical outcomes comparable to those with hippocampal sclerosis (HS). However, pediatric TLE is different from its adult counterpart. In this study, the authors investigated if the presence of a potentially epileptogenic lesion on presurgical brain MRI influences the long-term seizure outcomes after pediatric temporal lobectomy.METHODSChildren who underwent temporal lobectomy between 2007 and 2015 and had at least 1 year of seizure outcomes data were identified. These were classified into lesional and MRI-negative groups based on whether an epilepsy-protocol brain MRI showed a lesion sufficiently specific to guide surgical decisions. These patients were also categorized into pure TLE and temporal plus epilepsies based on the neurophysiological localization of the seizure-onset zone. Seizure outcomes at each follow-up visit were incorporated into a repeated-measures generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) with MRI status as a grouping variable. Clinical variables were incorporated into GLMM as covariates.RESULTSOne hundred nine patients (44 females) were included, aged 5 to 21 years, and were classified as lesional (73%), MRI negative (27%), pure TLE (56%), and temporal plus (44%). After a mean follow-up of 3.2 years (range 1.2–8.8 years), 66% of the patients were seizure free for ≥ 1 year at last follow-up. GLMM analysis revealed that lesional patients were more likely to be seizure free over the long term compared to MRI-negative patients for the overall cohort (OR 2.58, p < 0.0001) and for temporal plus epilepsies (OR 1.85, p = 0.0052). The effect of MRI lesion was not significant for pure TLE (OR 2.64, p = 0.0635). Concordance of ictal electroencephalography (OR 3.46, p < 0.0001), magnetoencephalography (OR 4.26, p < 0.0001), and later age of seizure onset (OR 1.05, p = 0.0091) were associated with a higher likelihood of seizure freedom. The most common histological findings included cortical dysplasia types 1B and 2A, HS (40% with dual pathology), and tuberous sclerosis.CONCLUSIONSA lesion on presurgical brain MRI is an important determinant of long-term seizure freedom after pediatric temporal lobectomy. Pediatric TLE is heterogeneous regarding etiologies and organization of seizure-onset zones with many patients qualifying for temporal plus nosology. The presence of an MRI lesion determined seizure outcomes in patients with temporal plus epilepsies. However, pure TLE had comparable surgical seizure outcomes for lesional and MRI-negative groups.

Accuracy and Safety of Customized Stereotactic Fixtures for Stereoelectroencephalography in Pediatric Patients

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Constantin Pistol ◽  
Andrei Daneasa ◽  
Jean Ciurea ◽  
Alin Rasina ◽  
Andrei Barborica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Perioperative Complications ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Target Point ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Localization Error ◽  
Temporal Area ◽  
Lateral Entry ◽  
Stereotactic Implantation

Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) in children with intractable epilepsy presents particular challenges. Their thin and partially ossified cranium, specifically in the temporal area, is prone to fracture while attaching stereotactic systems to the head or stabilizing the head in robot’s field of action. Postponing SEEG in this special population of patients can have serious consequences, reducing their chances of becoming seizure-free and impacting their social and cognitive development. This study demonstrates the safety and accuracy offered by a frameless personalized 3D printed stereotactic implantation system for SEEG investigations in children under 4 years of age. SEEG was carried out in a 3-year-old patient with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, based on a right temporal-perisylvian epileptogenic zone hypothesis. Fifteen intracerebral electrodes were placed using a StarFix patient-customized stereotactic fixture. The median lateral entry point localization error of the electrodes was 0.90 mm, median lateral target point localization error was 1.86 mm, median target depth error was 0.83 mm, and median target point localization error was 1.96 mm. There were no perioperative complications. SEEG data led to a tailored right temporal-insular-opercular resection, with resulting seizure freedom (Engel IA). In conclusion, patient-customized stereotactic fixtures are a safe and accurate option for SEEG exploration in young children.

Multilobar Epilepsy Surgery in Childhood and Adolescence: Predictors of Long-Term Seizure Freedom

Neurosurgery ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-182
Author(s):  
Evangelos Kogias ◽  
Thomas Bast ◽  
Susanne Schubert-Bast ◽  
Gert Wiegand ◽  
Armin Brandt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Seizure Control ◽  
Focal Cortical Dysplasia ◽  
Benign Tumors ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Seizure Recurrence ◽  
Eloquent Cortex

Abstract BACKGROUND Although multilobar resections correspond to one-fifth of pediatric epilepsy surgery, there are little data on long-term seizure control. OBJECTIVE To investigate the long-term seizure outcomes of children and adolescents undergoing multilobar epilepsy surgery and identify their predictors. METHODS In this retrospective study, we considered 69 consecutive patients that underwent multilobar epilepsy surgery at the age of 10.0 ± 5.0 yr (mean ± SD). The magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lesion in all but 2 cases. Resections were temporo-parieto(-occipital) in 30%, temporo-occipital in 41%, parieto-occipital in 16%, and fronto-(temporo)-parietal in 13% cases. Etiologies were determined as focal cortical dysplasia in 67%, perinatal or postnatal ischemic lesions in 23%, and benign tumors in 10% of cases. RESULTS At last follow-up of median 9 yr (range 2.8-14.8), 48% patients were seizure free; 33% were off antiepileptic drugs. 10% of patients, all with dysplastic etiology, required reoperations: 4 of 7 achieved seizure freedom. Seizure recurrence occurred mostly (80%) within the first 6 mo. Among presurgical variables, only an epileptogenic zone far from eloquent cortex independently correlated with significantly higher rates of seizure arrest in multivariate analysis. Among postsurgical variables, the absence of residual lesion and of acute postsurgical seizures was independently associated with significantly higher rates of seizure freedom. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that multilobar epilepsy surgery is effective regarding long-term seizure freedom and antiepileptic drug withdrawal in selected pediatric candidates. Epileptogenic zones–and lesions–localized distant from eloquent cortex and, thus, fully resectable predispose for seizure control. Acute postsurgical seizures are critical markers of seizure recurrence that should lead to prompt reevaluation.

Outcomes of epilepsy surgery in the older population: not too old, not too late

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Kerezoudis ◽  
Rohin Singh ◽  
Veronica Parisi ◽  
Gregory A. Worrell ◽  
Kai J. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Temporal Lobectomy ◽  
Administrative Database ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Mesial Temporal Sclerosis ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Older Population ◽  
Safety And Efficacy

OBJECTIVE The prevalence of epilepsy in the older adult population is increasing. While surgical intervention in younger patients is supported by level I evidence, the safety and efficacy of epilepsy surgery in older individuals is less well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate seizure freedom rates and surgical outcomes in older epilepsy patients. METHODS The authors’ institutional electronic database was queried for patients older than 50 who had undergone epilepsy surgery during 2002–2018. Cases were grouped into 50–59, 60–69, and 70+ years old. Seizure freedom at the last follow-up constituted the primary outcome of interest. The institutional analysis was supplemented by a literature review and meta-analysis (random effects model) of all published studies on this topic as well as by an analysis of complication rates, mortality rates, and cost data from a nationwide administrative database (Vizient Inc., years 2016–2019). RESULTS A total of 73 patients (n = 16 for 50–59 years, n = 47 for 60–69, and n = 10 for 70+) were treated at the authors’ institution. The median age was 63 years, and 66% of the patients were female. At a median follow-up of 24 months, seizure freedom was 73% for the overall cohort, 63% for the 50–59 group, 77% for the 60–69 group, and 70% for the 70+ group. The literature search identified 15 additional retrospective studies (474 cases). Temporal lobectomy was the most commonly performed procedure (73%), and mesial temporal sclerosis was the most common pathology (52%), followed by nonspecific gliosis (19%). The pooled mean follow-up was 39 months (range 6–114.8 months) with a pooled seizure freedom rate of 65% (95% CI 59%–72%). On multivariable meta-regression analysis, an older mean age at surgery (coefficient [coeff] 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–3.1, p < 0.001) and the presence of mesial temporal sclerosis (coeff 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.6, p = 0.015) were the most important predictors of seizure freedom. Finally, analysis of the Vizient database revealed mortality rates of 0.5%, 1.1%, and 9.6%; complication rates of 7.1%, 10.1%, and 17.3%; and mean hospital costs of $31,977, $34,586, and $40,153 for patients aged 50–59, 60–69, and 70+ years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS While seizure-free outcomes of epilepsy surgery are excellent, there is an expected increase in morbidity and mortality with increasing age. Findings in this study on the safety and efficacy of epilepsy surgery in the older population may serve as a useful guide during preoperative decision-making and patient counseling.

scholarly journals Predictive Factors of Surgical Outcome in Frontal Lobe Epilepsy Explored with Stereoelectroencephalography

Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Bonini ◽  
Aileen McGonigal ◽  
Didier Scavarda ◽  
Romain Carron ◽  
Jean Régis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frontal Lobe ◽  
Surgical Resection ◽  
Complete Resection ◽  
Conditional Inference ◽  
Prognostic Indicators ◽  
Frontal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Seizure Outcome ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone

Abstract BACKGROUND Resective surgery established treatment for pharmacoresistant frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE), but seizure outcome and prognostic indicators are poorly characterized and vary between studies. OBJECTIVE To study long-term seizure outcome and identify prognostic factors. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 42 FLE patients having undergone surgical resection, mostly preceded by invasive recordings with stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG). Postsurgical outcome up to 10-yr follow-up and prognostic indicators were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier analysis and multivariate and conditional inference procedures. RESULTS At the time of last follow-up, 57.1% of patients were seizure-free. The estimated chance of seizure freedom was 67% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54-83) at 6 mo, 59% (95% CI: 46-76) at 1 yr, 53% (95% CI: 40-71) at 2 yr, and 46% (95% CI: 32-66) at 5 yr. Most relapses (83%) occurred within the first 12 mo. Multivariate analysis showed that completeness of resection of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) as defined by SEEG was the main predictor of seizure outcome. According to conditional inference trees, in patients with complete resection of the EZ, focal cortical dysplasia as etiology and focal EZ were positive prognostic indicators. No difference in outcome was found in patients with positive vs negative magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSION Surgical resection in drug-resistant FLE can be a successful therapeutic approach, even in the absence of neuroradiologically visible lesions. SEEG may be highly useful in both nonlesional and lesional FLE cases, because complete resection of the EZ as defined by SEEG is associated with better prognosis.

Anterior temporal lobectomy with amygdalohippocampectomy for mesial temporal sclerosis: predictors of long-term seizure control

2013 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Elliott ◽  
Robert J. Bollo ◽  
Jonathan L. Berliner ◽  
Alyson Silverberg ◽  
Chad Carlson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Power ◽  
Temporal Lobectomy ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Mesial Temporal Sclerosis ◽  
Anterior Temporal Lobectomy ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
The Impact

Object In this paper the authors' goal was to identify preoperative variables that predict long-term seizure freedom among patients with mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) after single-stage anterior temporal lobectomy and amygdalohippocampectomy (ATL-AH). Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed 116 consecutive patients (66 females, mean age at surgery 40.7 years) with refractory seizures and pathologically confirmed MTS who underwent ATL-AH with at least 2 years of follow-up. All patients underwent preoperative MRI and video-electroencephalography (EEG); 106 patients (91.4%) underwent Wada testing and 107 patients (92.2%) had neuropsychological evaluations. The authors assessed the concordance of these 4 studies (defined as test consistent with the side of eventual surgery) and analyzed the impact of preoperative variables on seizure freedom. Results The median follow-up after surgery was 6.7 years (mean 6.9 years). Overall, 103 patients (89%) were seizure free, and 109 patients (94%) had Engel Class I or II outcome. Concordant findings were highest for video-EEG (100%), PET (100%), MRI (99.0%), and Wada testing (90.4%) and lowest for SPECT (84.6%) and neuropsychological testing (82.5%). Using binary logistic regression analysis (seizure free or not) and Cox proportional hazard analysis (seizure-free survival), less disparity in the Wada memory scores between the ipsilateral and contralateral sides was associated with persistent seizures. Conclusions Seizure freedom of nearly 90% can be achieved with ATL-AH in properly selected patients with MTS and concordant preoperative studies. The low number of poor outcomes and exclusion of multistage patients limit the statistical power to determine preoperative variables that predict failure. Strong Wada memory lateralization was associated with excellent long-term outcome and adds important localization information to structural and neurophysiological data in predicting outcome after ATL-AH for MTS.

scholarly journals Factors Associated With Failed Focal Neocortical Epilepsy Surgery

Neurosurgery ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 648-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario J. Englot ◽  
Kunal P. Raygor ◽  
Annette M. Molinaro ◽  
Paul A. Garcia ◽  
Robert C. Knowlton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Extent Of Resection ◽  
Temporal Lobectomy ◽  
Resection Margins ◽  
Epileptic Focus ◽  
Seizure Outcome ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Neocortical Epilepsy

Abstract Background: Seizure outcomes after focal neocortical epilepsy (FNE) surgery are less favorable than after temporal lobectomy, and the reasons for surgical failure are incompletely understood. Few groups have performed an in-depth examination of seizure recurrences to identify possible reasons for failure. Objective: To elucidate factors contributing to FNE surgery failures. Methods: We reviewed resections for drug-resistant FNE performed at our institution between 1998 and 2011. We performed a quantitative analysis of seizure outcome predictors and a detailed qualitative review of failed surgical cases. Results: Of 138 resections in 125 FNE patients, 91 (66%) resulted in freedom from disabling seizures (Engel I outcome). Mean ± SEM patient age was 20.0 ± 1.2 years; mean follow-up was 3.8 years (range, 1–17 years); and 57% of patients were male. Less favorable (Engel II–IV) seizure outcome was predicted by higher preoperative seizure frequency (odds ratio = 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.78–0.93), a history of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (odds ratio = 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.18–0.97), and normal magnetic resonance imaging (odds ratio = 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.09–1.02). Among 36 surgical failures examined, 26 (72%) were related to extent of resection, with residual epileptic focus at the resection margins, whereas 10 (28%) involved location of resection, with an additional epileptogenic zone distant from the resection. Of 16 patients who received reoperation after seizure recurrence, 10 (63%) achieved seizure freedom. Conclusion: Insufficient extent of resection is the most common reason for recurrent seizures after FNE surgery, although some patients harbor a remote epileptic focus. Many patients with incomplete seizure control are candidates for reoperation.

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