Predictors of seizure freedom in the surgical treatment of supratentorial cavernous malformations

2011 ◽  
Vol 115 (6) ◽  
pp. 1169-1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario J. Englot ◽  
Seunggu J. Han ◽  
Michael T. Lawton ◽  
Edward F. Chang

Object Seizures are the most common presenting symptom of supratentorial cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) and progress to medically refractory epilepsy in 40% of patients. Predictors of seizure freedom in the resection of CCMs are incompletely understood. Methods The authors systematically reviewed the published literature on seizure freedom following the resection of supratentorial CCMs in patients presenting with seizures. Seizure outcomes were stratified across 12 potential prognostic variables. A total of 1226 patients with supratentorial CCMs causing seizures were identified across 31 predominantly retrospective studies; 361 patients had medically refractory epilepsy. Results Seventy-five percent of the patients were seizure free after microsurgical lesion removal, whereas 25% continued to have seizures. All patients had had preoperative seizures and > 6 months of postoperative follow-up. Modifiable predictors of postoperative seizure freedom included gross-total resection (OR 36.6, 95% CI 8.5–157.5) and surgery within 1 year of symptom onset (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.30–2.58). Additional prognostic indicators of a favorable outcome were a CCM size < 1.5 cm (OR 15.4, 95% CI 5.2–45.4), the absence of multiple CCMs (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.13–3.60), medically controlled seizures (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.29–4.39), and the lack of secondarily generalized seizures (OR 3.33, 95% CI 2.09–5.30). Other factors, including extended resection of the hemosiderin ring, were not significantly predictive. Conclusions In the surgical treatment of supratentorial CCMs, gross-total resection and early operative intervention may improve seizure outcome. While surgery should not be considered the first-line treatment for CCM-related epilepsy, it is important to understand the variables associated with seizure freedom in CCM resection given the considerable morbidity and diminished quality of life associated with epilepsy.

Author(s):  
Valeri Borger ◽  
Motaz Hamed ◽  
Inja Ilic ◽  
Anna-Laura Potthoff ◽  
Attila Racz ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The postoperative seizure freedom represents an important secondary outcome measure in glioblastoma surgery. Recently, supra-total glioblastoma resection in terms of anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) has gained growing attention with regard to superior long-term disease control for temporal-located glioblastoma compared to conventional gross-total resections (GTR). However, the impact of ATL on seizure outcome in these patients is unknown. We therefore analyzed ATL and GTR as differing extents of resection in regard of postoperative seizure control in patients with temporal glioblastoma and preoperative symptomatic seizures. Methods Between 2012 and 2018, 33 patients with preoperative seizures underwent GTR or ATL for temporal glioblastoma at the authors’ institution. Seizure outcome was assessed postoperatively and 6 months after tumor resection according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification and stratified into favorable (ILAE class 1) versus unfavorable (ILAE class 2–6). Results Overall, 23 out of 33 patients (70%) with preoperative seizures achieved favorable seizure outcome following resection of temporal located glioblastoma. For the ATL group, postoperative seizure freedom was present in 13 out of 13 patients (100%). In comparison, respective rates for the GTR group were 10 out of 20 patients (50%) (p = 0.002; OR 27; 95% CI 1.4–515.9). Conclusions ATL in terms of a supra-total resection strategy was associated with superior favorable seizure outcome following temporal glioblastoma resection compared to GTR. Regarding above mentioned survival benefit following ATL compared to GTR, ATL as an aggressive supra-total resection regime might constitute the surgical modality of choice for temporal-located glioblastoma.


Author(s):  
A Ranger ◽  
D Diosy

Background: Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNETs) and gangliogliomas are the most common cause of tumor-related seizures in children and adolescents. Little is known about predictors of surgical success, in terms of seizure freedom. All relevant papers since 1995 were identified. Methods: Over 4000 abstracts were screened on MedLine to identify data comparing tumor type (DNET vs. ganglioglioma) and predictors of post-operative seizure freedom. Results: Seventeen papers were identified encompassing 97 DNET and 95 ganglioglioma patients. Fifteen patients were found with other neuroglial tumors (NGT) or NGT not-otherwise-specified. DNET patients were found to have less frequent seizures, more likely to have second lobe involvement, and to achieve gross total resection. Seizure freedom was achieved in roughly 80% of patients, with no distinction by tumor type, with no surgery-related or peri-operative deaths. For DNETs, seizure freedom was associated with shorter seizure duration, simple lesionectomy, gross total resection, and shorter duration of follow-up. In ganglioglioma patients, seizure freedom was associated with younger age at surgery, secondary generalization (unexpectedly), absence of dysplasia, and gross total resection. Gross total resection was the strongest predictor. Conclusions: Epilepsy surgery for DNET and ganglioglioma had similar outcomes with gross total resection being the strongest predictor.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faith C Robertson ◽  
Nicole J Ullrich ◽  
Peter E Manley ◽  
Hasan Al-Sayegh ◽  
Clement Ma ◽  
...  

AbstractBACKGROUNDIntraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) has been utilized in patients with tumor-associated seizures; however, its effectiveness for seizure control remains controversial.OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing lesionectomy with or without ECoG.METHODSPatients undergoing brain tumor resection at Boston Children's Hospital were examined retrospectively (2005-2014). Inclusion criteria involved diagnosis of a supratentorial tumor, ≥2 unequivocal seizures, and ≥6 mo follow-up. Patients with isolated cortical dysplasia or posterior fossa tumors were excluded. Logistic regression models evaluated predictors of ECoG use, and the impact of ECoG, gross total resection, and focal cortical dysplasia with tumors on seizure freedom by Engel Class and anti-epileptic drug use (AED).RESULTSA total of 119 pediatric patients were included (n = 69 males, 58%; median age, 11.3 yr). Forty-one patients (34.5%) had ECoG-guided surgery. Preoperative seizure duration and number and duration of AED use were significant predictors for undergoing ECoG. There were no differences in seizure freedom (Engel Class I) or improved Engel Score (Class I-II vs III-IV) in patients who did or did not have ECoG at 30 d, 6 mo, and 1, 2, or 5 yr. Patients undergoing ECoG required a greater number of AEDs at 6 mo (P = .01), although this difference disappeared at subsequent time intervals. Gross total resection predicted seizure freedom at 30 d and 6 mo postsurgery (P = .045).CONCLUSIONThis retrospective study, one of the largest evaluating the use of ECoG during tumor resection, suggests that ECoG does not provide improved seizure freedom compared to lesionectomy alone for children.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1406-1414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek G. Southwell ◽  
Paul A. Garcia ◽  
Mitchel S. Berger ◽  
Nicholas M. Barbaro ◽  
Edward F. Chang

Abstract BACKGROUND: Gangliogliomas are rare glioneuronal tumors that typically cause refractory seizures during the first 3 decades of life. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognosticators of seizure outcome after surgery for ganglioglioma. METHODS: We reviewed the cases of 66 patients who underwent resection of gangliogliomas at the University of California, San Francisco. Demographic, seizure history, and operative data were examined for statistical association with postoperative seizure outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 66 patients who underwent surgical resection of ganglioglioma, 49 patients (74%) presented with a history of seizures. Of those 49 patients, 50% presented with intractable epilepsy. Temporal lobe gangliogliomas were present in 76% of the patients who presented with a history of seizures. Electrocorticography was performed on 35% of the patients, and of those patients, 82% underwent extended lesionectomy to remove abnormally epileptogenic extralesional tissue. The median follow-up duration was 6.9 years, during which tumor progression occurred in 38% of patients who underwent subtotal resection and in 8% of patients who underwent gross total resection (P = .02). Overall, 85% of patients were seizure free (International League Against Epilepsy class I or II) 5 years after surgery. Subtotal resection was associated with poor seizure outcomes 1 year after resection (odds ratio = 14.6; 95% confidence interval = 2.4-87.7): rates of seizure freedom were 54% after subtotal resection, 96% after gross total resection, and 93% after gross total resection with intraoperative electrocorticography-guided extended lesionectomy. CONCLUSION: We report excellent long-term seizure control outcomes after surgery for gangliogliomas. Intraoperative electrocorticography may be a useful adjunct for guiding extended resection in certain pharmacoresistant epilepsy patients with gangliogliomas. Subtotal resection is associated with higher rates of tumor progression and nonoptimal seizure outcomes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 924-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Crociati Meguins ◽  
Rodrigo Antônio Rocha da Cruz Adry ◽  
Sebastião Carlos da Silva Júnior ◽  
Carlos Umberto Pereira ◽  
Jean Gonçalves de Oliveira ◽  
...  

Objective To present a surgical series of patients with low grade temporal gliomas causing intractable epilepsy, focusing on long-term seizure outcome.Method A retrospective study was conducted with patients with temporal low-grade gliomas (LGG).Results Sixty five patients with were operated in our institution. Males were more affected than females and the mean age at surgery was 32.3 ± 8.4 (9-68 years). The mean age at seizure onset was 25.7 ± 9.2 (11-66 years). Seizure outcome was classified according with Engel classification. After one year of follow up, forty two patients (64.6%) were Engel I; seventeen (26.2%) Engel II; four (6.2%) Engel III and two (3.1%) Engel IV. Statistically significant difference in seizure outcome was obtained when comparing the extension of resection. Engel I was observed in 39 patients (69.6%) with total resection and in only 3 (33.3%) patients with partial resection.Conclusion Gross-total resection of temporal LGGs is a critically important factor in achieving seizure-freedom.


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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony T. Lee ◽  
John F. Burke ◽  
Pranathi Chunduru ◽  
Annette M. Molinaro ◽  
Robert Knowlton ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVERecent trials for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) highlight the challenges of investigating surgical outcomes using randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Although several reviews have examined seizure-freedom outcomes from existing data, there is a need for an overall seizure-freedom rate estimated from level I data as investigators consider other methods besides RCTs to study outcomes related to new surgical interventions.METHODSThe authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the 3 RCTs of TLE in adults and report an overall surgical seizure-freedom rate (Engel class I) composed of level I data. An overall seizure-freedom rate was also collected from level II data (prospective cohort studies) for validation. Eligible studies were identified by filtering a published Cochrane meta-analysis of epilepsy surgery for RCTs and prospective studies, and supplemented by searching indexed terms in MEDLINE (January 1, 2012–April 1, 2018). Retrospective studies were excluded to minimize heterogeneity in patient selection and reporting bias. Data extraction was independently reverified and pooled using a fixed-effects model. The primary outcome was overall seizure freedom following surgery. The historical benchmark was applied in a noninferiority study design to compare its power to a single-study cohort.RESULTSThe overall rate of seizure freedom from level I data was 72.4% (55/76 patients, 3 RCTs), which was nearly identical to the overall seizure-freedom rate of 71.7% (1325/1849 patients, 18 studies) from prospective cohorts (z = 0.134, p = 0.89; z-test). Seizure-freedom rates from level I and II studies were consistent over the years of publication (R2< 0.01, p = 0.73). Surgery resulted in markedly improved seizure-free outcomes compared to medical management (RR 10.82, 95% CI 3.93–29.84, p < 0.01; 2 RCTs). Noninferiority study designs in which the historical benchmark was used had significantly higher power at all difference margins compared to using a single cohort alone (p < 0.001, Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test).CONCLUSIONSThe overall rate of seizure freedom for temporal lobe surgery is approximately 70% for medically refractory epilepsy. The small sample size of the RCT cohort underscores the need to move beyond standard RCTs for epilepsy surgery. This historical seizure-freedom rate may serve as a useful benchmark to guide future study designs for new surgical treatments for refractory TLE.


Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000013033
Author(s):  
Ezequiel Gleichgerrcht ◽  
Daniel L. Drane ◽  
Simon Sean Keller ◽  
Kathryn A. Davis ◽  
Robert Gross ◽  
...  

Objective:To determine the association between surgical lesions of distinct grey and white structures and connections with favorable post-operative seizure outcomes.Methods:Patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) from three epilepsy centers were included. We employed a voxel-based and connectome-based mapping approach to determine the association between favorable outcomes and surgery-induced temporal lesions. Analyses were conducted controlling for multiple confounders, including total surgical resection/ablation volume, hippocampal volumes, side of surgery, and site where the patient was treated.Results:The cohort included 113 patients with TLE [54 women; 86 right-handed; 16.5 (SD = 11.9) age at seizure onset, 54.9% left] who were 61.1% free of disabling seizures (Engel class 1) at follow-up. Postoperative seizure freedom in TLE was associated with 1) surgical lesions that targeted the hippocampus as well as the amygdala-piriform cortex complex and entorhinal cortices; 2) disconnection of temporal, frontal, and limbic regions through loss of white matter tracts within the uncinate fasciculus, anterior commissure, and fornix; and 3) functional disconnection of the frontal (superior and middle frontal gyri, orbitofrontal region) and temporal (superior and middle pole) lobes.Conclusions:Better postoperative seizure freedom are associated with surgical lesions of specific structures and connections throughout the temporal lobes. These findings shed light on the key components of epileptogenic networks in TLE and constitute a promising source of new evidence for future improvements in surgical interventions.Classification of Evidence:This study provides Class II evidence that for patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, postoperative seizure freedom is associated with surgical lesions of specific temporal lobe structures and connections.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Jay McCracken ◽  
Jon T Willie ◽  
Brad A Fernald ◽  
Amit M Saindane ◽  
Daniel L Drane ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Surgery is indicated for cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) that cause medically refractory epilepsy. Real-time magnetic resonance thermography (MRT)-guided stereotactic laser ablation (SLA) is a minimally invasive approach to treating focal brain lesions. SLA of CCM has not previously been described. OBJECTIVE To describe MRT-guided SLA, a novel approach to treating CCM-related epilepsy, with respect to feasibility, safety, imaging, and seizure control in 5 consecutive patients. METHODS Five patients with medically refractory epilepsy undergoing standard presurgical evaluation were found to have corresponding lesions fulfilling imaging characteristics of CCM and were prospectively enrolled. Each underwent stereotactic placement of a saline-cooled cannula containing an optical fiber to deliver 980-nm diode laser energy via twist drill craniostomy. MR anatomic imaging was used to evaluate targeting before ablation. MR imaging provided evaluation of targeting and near real-time feedback regarding the extent of tissue thermocoagulation. Patients maintained seizure diaries, and remote imaging (6-21 months postablation) was obtained in all patients. RESULTS Imaging revealed no evidence of acute hemorrhage following fiber placement within presumed CCM. MRT during treatment and immediate postprocedure imaging confirmed the desired extent of ablation. We identified no adverse events or neurological deficits. Four of 5 (80%) patients achieved freedom from disabling seizures after SLA alone (Engel class 1 outcome), with follow-up ranging 12 to 28 months. Reimaging of all subjects (6-21 months) indicated lesion diminution with surrounding liquefactive necrosis, consistent with the surgical goal of extended lesionotomy. CONCLUSION Minimally invasive MRT-guided SLA of epileptogenic CCM is a potentially safe and effective alternative to open resection. Additional experience and longer follow-up are needed.


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