scholarly journals The Impact of Lesional Factors on Seizure Outcome Following Lesionectomy as a Surgical Management of Extratemporal Epilepsy, Case Series from a Developing Country and Review of Literature.

Author(s):  
Amr Ali Hasanain ◽  
Mohamed Sawan ◽  
Ahmed Mohamed Ali

Abstract BACKGROUNDExtratemporal lesional epilepsy can be managed with various surgical techniques such as simple lesionectomy or more extensive resections, all of which aim at targeting the epileptogenic zone which is the key for achieving a favorable outcome. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of lesionectomy in the treatment of extra-temporal epilepsy associated with a lesion on radiological imaging, and to show the effect of lesional factors on seizure outcome including the anatomical location, the relation to cerebral parenchyma, the extent of surgical excision and the histopathological nature of the lesion.METHODSA prospective study on 20 patients presenting with focal epilepsy, or focal epilepsy with secondary generalized seizures with evidence of focal lesion in an extratemporal location on MRI. Lesionectomy was done and we used the Engel’s classification for seizure outcome.RESULTSLesions were mostly tumors (85 %). The frontal lobe is the most frequent locations (60 %). Low-grade glioma represented 35 % while meningioma represented 45 % of all lesions (both intra-axial and extra-axial). Four patients were lost during follow up (mean 23.31 months). For the remaining 16 patients, 13 cases were tumors (81.25%). Lesionectomy achieved seizure freedom in 68.75 %.CONCLUSIONSIn a country with limited resources, lesionectomy is a valid technique for epilepsy surgery as long as the radiological data and the seizure semiology are concordant. Total lesionectomy provides good seizure control when the clinical and radiological data are concordant with seizure semiology, in particular with tumor-related epilepsy. A study comparing postoperative seizure outcome between intra-axial and extra-axial lesions on a larger scale and with a longer follow up period is recommended.

Neurosurgery ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Gonzalez-Martinez ◽  
Jeffrey Mullin ◽  
Juan Bulacio ◽  
Ajay Gupta ◽  
Rei Enatsu ◽  
...  

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.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Bonini ◽  
Aileen McGonigal ◽  
Didier Scavarda ◽  
Romain Carron ◽  
Jean Régis ◽  
...  

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.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge González-Martínez ◽  
Juan Bulacio ◽  
Susan Thompson ◽  
John Gale ◽  
Saksith Smithason ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) may represent a simplified, precise, and safe alternative to the more traditional SEEG techniques. OBJECTIVE: To report our clinical experience with robotic SEEG implantation and to define its utility in the management of patients with medically refractory epilepsy. METHODS: The prospective observational analyses included all patients with medically refractory focal epilepsy who underwent robot-assisted stereotactic placement of depth electrodes for extraoperative brain monitoring between November 2009 and May 2013. Technical nuances of the robotic implantation technique are presented, as well as an analysis of demographics, time of planning and procedure, seizure outcome, in vivo accuracy, and procedure-related complications. RESULTS: One hundred patients underwent 101 robot-assisted SEEG procedures. Their mean age was 33.2 years. In total, 1245 depth electrodes were implanted. On average, 12.5 electrodes were implanted per patient. The time of implantation planning was 30 minutes on average (range, 15-60 minutes). The average operative time was 130 minutes (range, 45-160 minutes). In vivo accuracy (calculated in 500 trajectories) demonstrated a median entry point error of 1.2 mm (interquartile range, 0.78-1.83 mm) and a median target point error of 1.7 mm (interquartile range, 1.20-2.30 mm). Of the group of patients who underwent resective surgery (68 patients), 45 (66.2%) gained seizure freedom status. Mean follow-up was 18 months. The total complication rate was 4%. CONCLUSION: The robotic SEEG technique and method were demonstrated to be safe, accurate, and efficient in anatomically defining the epileptogenic zone and subsequently promoting sustained seizure freedom status in patients with difficult-to-localize seizures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 950-959
Author(s):  
Alain Bouthillier ◽  
Alexander G. Weil ◽  
Laurence Martineau ◽  
Laurent Létourneau-Guillon ◽  
Dang Khoa Nguyen

OBJECTIVEPatients with refractory epilepsy of operculoinsular origin are often denied potentially effective surgical treatment with operculoinsular cortectomy (also termed operculoinsulectomy) because of feared complications and the paucity of surgical series with a significant number of cases documenting seizure control outcome. The goal of this study was to document seizure control outcome after operculoinsular cortectomy in a group of patients investigated and treated by an epilepsy team with 20 years of experience with this specific technique.METHODSClinical, imaging, surgical, and seizure control outcome data of all patients who underwent surgery for refractory epilepsy requiring an operculoinsular cortectomy were retrospectively reviewed. Tumors and progressive encephalitis cases were excluded. Descriptive and uni- and multivariate analyses were done to determine seizure control outcome and predictors.RESULTSForty-three patients with 44 operculoinsular cortectomies were studied. Kaplan-Meier estimates of complete seizure freedom (first seizure recurrence excluding auras) for years 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 were 70.2%, 70.2%, 65.0%, and 65.0%, respectively. With patients with more than 1 year of follow-up, seizure control outcome Engel class I was achieved in 76.9% (mean follow-up duration 5.8 years; range 1.25–20 years). With multivariate analysis, unfavorable seizure outcome predictors were frontal lobe–like seizure semiology, shorter duration of epilepsy, and the use of intracranial electrodes for invasive monitoring. Suspected causes of recurrent seizures were sparing of the language cortex part of the focus, subtotal resection of cortical dysplasia/polymicrogyria, bilateral epilepsy, and residual epileptic cortex with normal preoperative MRI studies (insula, frontal lobe, posterior parieto-temporal, orbitofrontal).CONCLUSIONSThe surgical treatment of operculoinsular refractory epilepsy is as effective as epilepsy surgeries in other brain areas. These patients should be referred to centers with appropriate experience. A frontal lobe–like seizure semiology should command more sampling with invasive monitoring. Recordings with intracranial electrodes are not always required if the noninvasive investigation is conclusive. The complete resection of the epileptic zone is crucial to achieve good seizure control outcome.


2011 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario J. Englot ◽  
Mitchel S. Berger ◽  
Nicholas M. Barbaro ◽  
Edward F. Chang

Object Seizures are the most frequent presenting symptom in patients with low-grade gliomas (LGGs), and significantly influence quality of life if they are uncontrolled. Achieving freedom from seizures is of utmost importance in surgical planning, but the factors associated with seizure control remain incompletely understood. Methods The authors performed a systematic literature review of seizure outcomes after resection of LGGs causing seizures, examining 773 patients across 20 published series. Rates of seizure freedom were stratified across 7 variables: patient age, tumor location, preoperative seizure control with medication, seizure semiology, epilepsy duration, extent of resection, and the use of intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG). Results Gross-total resection was most predictive of complete seizure freedom, when compared with subtotal resection (OR 3.41, 95% CI 2.36–4.93). Other predictors of seizure freedom included preoperative seizure control on antiepileptic medication (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.33–3.38) and duration of seizures of ≤ 1 year (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.22–2.79). Patients with simple partial seizure semiology achieved seizure freedom less often than those with complex partial, generalized, or mixed seizure types (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.26–0.80). No significant differences in seizure outcome were observed between adults versus children, patients with temporal lobe versus extratemporal tumors, or with the use of intraoperative ECoG. Conclusions Seizure control is one of the most important considerations in planning surgery for low-grade brain tumors. Gross-total resection is a critical factor in achieving seizure freedom.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 808-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisha Gadgil ◽  
Sandi Lam ◽  
I-Wen Pan ◽  
Melissa LoPresti ◽  
Kathryn Wagner ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Hypothalamic hamartomas (HH) are a challenging pathology that cause gelastic seizures. Magnetic Resonance Imaging-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (MRgLITT) offers a safe and effective treatment for HHs via a minimally invasive technique. OBJECTIVE To determine how clinical outcome correlates to residual tumor volume and surgical strategy by analyzing radiographic data and reconstructing volumetric imaging. METHODS Clinical and radiographic information of 58 pediatric patients who underwent MRgLITT for HH with at least 6 mo of follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. MR imaging was volumetrically reconstructed to analyze the impact of hamartoma and ablation volumes on outcome. Primary outcome measure was freedom from gelastic seizures. RESULTS Eighty-one percent of patients were completely free of gelastic seizures at last follow-up; of 22 patients with secondary nongelastic epilepsy, 15 were free of additional seizures. Postoperative complication rate was low. There was no significant difference in gelastic seizure outcome related to pre- or postoperative hamartoma size. Residual hamartoma percentage in those free of gelastic seizures was 43% compared to 71% in those with continued seizures (P = .021). Larger hamartomas required multiple ablations to achieve seizure freedom. CONCLUSION This large series of patients confirms the safety and efficacy of MRgLITT for pediatric HH and describes morphological considerations that predict success. Our data suggest that complete ablation of the lesion is not necessary, and that the focus should be on appropriate disconnection of the epileptogenic network. We have found that a staged approach to hamartoma ablation allows adequate disconnection of the hamartoma while mitigating risk to surrounding structures.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii1-ii2
Author(s):  
Takeshi Matsuo

Abstract Low grade neuro-epithelial tumors presenting early-onset epilepsy as the major neurological symptom have recently been categorized as low-grade epilepsy-associated neuro-epithelial tumors, LEAT. Ganglioglioma and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors consist up to 60% of LEAT. Common characteristics of LEAT being early onset seizure, younger than the age of 15, and temporal lobe localization, its criteria do not include histological or genetic features; LEAT is an independent classification, unrelated to WHO classification. Treatment for epilepsy associated with LEAT includes medication and surgery. As for drug therapy, most tumor-related seizures are controlled well with anti-epileptic drugs for focal epilepsy such as sodium channel blocker. On the other hand, those who are drug-resistant are candidates for surgical therapy. Because epileptogenic zone mostly exists not in tumor itself but in the marginal brain tissue, pure tumor resection without resection of peripheral epileptogenic zone sometimes fails to achieve satisfactory seizure outcome. Concept of epilepsy surgery is indispensable in pre-operative evaluation and in planning surgical strategy. Related association fibers in addition to five zones, epileptogenic zone, seizure onset zone, irritative zone, symptomatogenic zone and functional deficit zone should be taken into consideration. Long-term survival is expected in children who underwent total resection of benign tumors. Therefore, good seizure control is crucial in improving activities of daily lives.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-46
Author(s):  
Thandar Aung ◽  
Vineet Punia ◽  
Masaya Katagiri ◽  
Richard Prayson ◽  
Irene Wang ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to illustrate the feasibility and value of extra- and intraoperative stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) in patients who underwent resection in rolandic and perirolandic regions.METHODSThe authors retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients with at least 1 year of postoperative follow-up who underwent extra- and intraoperative SEEG monitoring between January 2015 and January 2017.RESULTSFour patients with pharmacoresistant rolandic and perirolandic focal epilepsy were identified, who underwent conventional extraoperative invasive SEEG evaluations followed by adjuvant intraoperative SEEG recordings. Conventional extraoperative SEEG evaluations demonstrated ictal and interictal epileptiform activities involving eloquent rolandic and perirolandic cortical areas in all patients. Following extraoperative monitoring, patients underwent preplanned staged resections guided by simultaneous and continuous adjuvant intraoperative SEEG monitoring. Resections, guided by electrode contacts of interest in 3D boundaries, were performed while continuous real-time electrographic data from SEEG recordings were obtained. Staged approaches of resections were performed until there was intraoperative resolution of synchronous rolandic/perirolandic cortex epileptic activities. All patients in the cohort achieved complete seizure freedom (Engel class IA) during the follow-up period ranging from 18 to 50 months. Resection resulted in minimal neurological deficit; 3 patients experienced transient, distal plantar flexion weakness (mild foot drop).CONCLUSIONSThe seizure and functional outcome results of this highly preselected group of patients testifies to the feasibility and demonstrates the value of the combined benefits of both intra- and extraoperative SEEG recordings when resecting the rolandic and perirolandic areas. The novel hybrid method allows a more refined and precise identification of the epileptogenic zone. Consequently, tailored resections can be performed to minimize morbidity as well as to achieve adequate seizure control.


Author(s):  
Elaine Wyllie

ABSTRACT:Surgery has become an accepted treatment modality for carefully selected adults with intractable focal epilepsy. More recently, increasing numbers of pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy are also being referred for surgical consideration. Key elements of surgical candidacy include medically intractable focal epilepsy, a localized epileptogenic zone, and a low risk for new postoperative neurologic deficits. The most common etiologies of the epilepsies in pediatric surgical candidates are malformation of cortical development and low grade tumor but some patients with childhood onset temporal lobe epilepsy due to hippocampal sclerosis also present for early surgery. Based on results from several recent pediatric surgical series, the chance for favorable seizure outcome after surgery is not adversely affected by young age, with seizure-free postoperative outcome reported for 60% to 65% of infants, 59% to 67% of children, and 69% of adolescents, compared to 64% reported in a large, predominantly adult series. Some subgroups of patients have higher percentages of seizure-free outcome, including those with hippocampal sclerosis or low grade tumor. In addition to seizures, developmental issues are also a major concern in children with intractable epilepsy. Few quantitative data are available, but some anecdotal experience suggests that surgical relief of catastrophic epilepsy may result in resumption of developmental progression after surgery, although the rate of development often remains abnormal. In one series, best developmental outcomes were seen in patients with earliest surgery and highest level of preoperative development. For each patient, the timing of surgery must be carefully considered, based on a full assessment of the relative risks and benefits, derived from a detailed presurgical evaluation.


2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micol Babini ◽  
Marco Giulioni ◽  
Ercole Galassi ◽  
Gianluca Marucci ◽  
Matteo Martinoni ◽  
...  

Object Low-grade tumor (LGT) is an increasingly recognized cause of focal epilepsies, particularly in children and young adults, and is frequently associated with cortical dysplasia. The optimal surgical treatment of epileptogenic LGTs in pediatric patients has not been fully established. Methods In the present study, the authors retrospectively reviewed 30 patients (age range 3–18 years) who underwent surgery for histopathologically confirmed LGTs, in which seizures were the only clinical manifestation. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the type of surgical treatment: patients in Group A (20 cases) underwent only tumor removal (lesionectomy), whereas patients in Group B (11 cases) underwent removal of the tumor and the adjacent epileptogenic zone (tailored surgery). One of the patients, who underwent 2 operations, is included in both groups. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 17 years. Results Sixteen (80%) of 20 patients in Group A had an Engel Class I outcome. In this group, 3 of 4 patients who were in Engel Classes II and III had temporomesial lesions. All patients in Group B had temporomesial tumors and were seizure free (Engel Class I). In this series, in temporolateral and extratemporal tumor locations, lesionectomy yielded a good seizure outcome. In addition, a young age at seizure onset (in particular < 4 years) was associated with a poor seizure outcome. Conclusions Tailored resection in temporomesial LGTs was associated with excellent seizure outcome, indicating that an adequate presurgical evaluation including extensive neurophysiological evaluation (long-term videoelectroencephalography monitoring) to plan appropriate surgical strategy is advised.


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