Transparahippocampal selective amygdalohippocampectomy in children and adolescents: efficacy of the procedure and cognitive morbidity in patients

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shenandoah Robinson ◽  
T. S. Park ◽  
Lynn B. Blackburn ◽  
Blaise F. D. Bourgeois ◽  
Susan T. Arnold ◽  
...  

Object. Unilateral resection of the hippocampus and amygdala can be used to treat medically intractable mesial temporal lobe seizures. To date seizure outcome and the extent of cognitive morbidity have been unknown in children following the transparahippocampal variation of selective amygdalohippocampectomy (TSA), which prompted the present prospective study.Methods. Preoperative examinations and outcomes in 22 consecutive children and adolescents who underwent TSA were studied. Cognitive and psychological morbidity were assessed using standard neuropsychological instruments. The authors evaluated relationships between seizure control and cognitive morbidity and 13 and nine clinical variables, respectively.Seizure control was achieved in 11 (65%) of 17 patients (> 2 years follow up). Among 13 clinical variables, the only preoperative finding that had a significant bearing on seizure control was the presence of unilateral hypometabolism, which could be observed on [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose—positron emission tomography scans (p < 0.001). Patients with seizure control showed significant improvements in verbal and full scale intelligence quotients (both p = 0.05). Patients with longer preoperative durations of seizures exhibited more cognitive impairment that persisted postoperatively. Cognitive outcome analysis based on nine clinical factors revealed no significant difference in cognitive parameters postoperatively, except that significant improvement occurred in rote verbal memory scores among patients who underwent right-sided TSA (p = 0.01). Individually, 81% of the children achieved significant improvement in at least one of seven cognitive parameters, and 52% had stable or improved scores in all parameters.Conclusions. The results indicate that TSA is a safe effective approach for the treatment of medically intractable mesial temporal lobe seizures in children with minimum effect on cognitive morbidity. Given that the literature suggests that children suffer progressive cognitive morbidity from persistent seizures, the results of this study support early surgical intervention for this group of children.

2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fábio A. Nascimento ◽  
Luana Antunes Maranha Gatto ◽  
Carlos Silvado ◽  
Maria Joana Mäder-Joaquim ◽  
Marlus Sidney Moro ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective To contribute our experience with surgical treatment of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) undergoing anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) or selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SelAH). Method This is a retrospective observational study. The sample included patients with medically refractory mTLE due to unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis who underwent either ATL or SelAH, at Hospital de Clinicas – UFPR, from 2005 to 2012. We report seizure outcomes, using Engel classification, cognitive outcomes, using measurements of verbal and visuospatial memories, as well as operative complications. Result Sixty-seven patients (33 ATL, 34 SelAH) were studied; median follow-up was 64 months. There was no statistically significant difference in seizure or neuropsychological outcomes, although verbal memory was more negatively affected in ATL operations on patients’ dominant hemispheres. Higher number of major complications was observed in the ATL group (p = 0.004). Conclusion Seizure and neuropsychological outcomes did not differ. ATL appeared to be associated with higher risk of complications.


2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando L. Vale ◽  
Glen Pollock ◽  
Selim R. Benbadis

Object The object of the current study was to review the electrophysiology and pathological substrate of failed temporal lobe surgery in patients with mesial temporal sclerosis. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed for the years 1999–2010 to assess the cause of failure and to identify potential reoperation candidates. Results Repeat electroencephalographic evaluation documenting ipsilateral temporal lobe onset was the most frequent cause for recurrent epileptogenesis, followed by contralateral temporal lobe seizures. Less frequently, surgical failures demonstrated an electroencephalogram that was compatible with extratemporal localization. The generation of occult or new epileptogenic zones as well as residual epileptogenic tissue could explain these findings. Conclusions The outcome of temporal lobe surgery for epilepsy is challenged by a somewhat consistent failure rate. Reoperation results in improved seizure control in properly selected patients. A detailed knowledge of the pathophysiology is beneficial for the reevaluation of these patients.


2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 496-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol ◽  
Jacqueline A. Leavitt ◽  
James J. Lynch ◽  
W. Richard Marsh ◽  
Gregory D. Cascino

Object. In this prospective study the authors investigated the incidence and natural history of postoperative diplopia in patients undergoing anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) and amygdalohippocampectomy for medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods. Forty-seven patients scheduled for ATL for medically refractory seizures were examined preoperatively, 2 to 7 days postoperatively, and 3 to 6 months postoperatively. Ophthalmological examination including pupillary measurements, stereoacuity measurements, palpebral fissure measurements, vertical fusional amplitudes, Lancaster red green testing, visual field testing, and alternate cover testing was performed. Antiepileptic drug levels were monitored. Nine (19%) of 47 patients developed diplopia postoperatively. The diplopia was caused by trochlear nerve palsy in every case. No oculomotor nerve dysfunction was documented. Trochlear nerve function recovered completely in all patients within 3 to 6 months postoperatively. Conclusions. Postoperative diplopia following ATL occurs more often than previously thought and is primarily due to trochlear nerve dysfunction. Awareness of this transient complication is important in preoperative patient counseling.


2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 542-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
James X Tao ◽  
Shasha Wu ◽  
Maureen Lacy ◽  
Sandra Rose ◽  
Naoum P Issa ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo determine the outcomes of combined stereo-electroencephalography-guided and MRI-guided stereotactic laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) in the treatment of patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE).MethodsWe prospectively assessed the surgical and neuropsychological outcomes in 21 patients with medically refractory mTLE who underwent LITT at the University of Chicago Medical Center. We further compared the surgical outcomes in patients with and without mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS).ResultsOf the 21 patients, 19 (90%) underwent Invasive EEG study and 11 (52%) achieved freedom from disabling seizures with a mean duration of postoperative follow-up of 24±11 months after LITT. Eight (73%) of 11 patients with MTS achieved freedom from disabling seizures, whereas 3 (30 %) of 10 patients without MTS achieved freedom from disabling seizures. Patients with MTS were significantly more likely to become seizure-free, as compared with those without MTS (P=0.002). There was no significant difference in total ablation volume and the percentage of the ablated amygdalohippocampal complex between seizure-free and non-seizure-free patients. Presurgical and postsurgical neuropsychological assessments were obtained in 10 of 21 patients. While there was no group decline in any neuropsychological assessment, a significant postoperative decline in verbal memory and confrontational naming was observed in individual patients.ConclusionsMRI-guided LITT is a safe and effective alternative to selective amygdalohippocampectomy and anterior temporal lobectomy for mTLE with MTS. Nevertheless, its efficacy in those without MTS seems modest. Large multicentre and prospective studies are warranted to further determine the efficacy and safety of LITT.


1998 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhaskara Rao Malla ◽  
Terence J. O'Brien ◽  
Gregory D. Cascino ◽  
Elson L. So ◽  
Kurupath Radhakrishnan ◽  
...  

Object. Recurrence of seizures immediately following epilepsy surgery can be emotionally devastating, and raises concerns about the chances of successfully attaining long-term seizure control. The goals of this study were to investigate the frequency of acute postoperative seizures (APOS) occurring in the 1st postoperative week following anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) to identify potential risk factors and to determine their prognostic significance. Methods. One hundred sixty consecutive patients who underwent an ATL for intractable nonlesional temporal lobe epilepsy were retrospectively studied. Acute postoperative seizures occurred in 32 patients (20%). None of the following factors were shown to be significantly associated with the occurrence of APOS: age at surgery, duration of epilepsy, side of surgery, extent of neocortical resection, electrocorticography findings, presence of mesial temporal sclerosis, and hippocampal volume measurements (p > 0.05). Patients who suffered from APOS overall had a lower rate of favorable outcome with respect to seizure control at the last follow-up examination than patients without APOS (62.5% compared with 83.6%, p < 0.05). The type of APOS was of prognostic importance, with patients whose APOS were similar to their preoperative habitual seizures having a significantly worse outcome than those whose APOS were auras or were focal motor and/or generalized tonic—clonic seizures (excellent outcome: 14.3%, 77.8%, and 75%, respectively, p < 0.05). Only patients who had APOS similar to preoperative habitual seizures were less likely to have an excellent outcome than patients without APOS (14.3% compared with 75%, p < 0.05). Timing of the APOS and identification of a precipitating factor were of no prognostic importance. Conclusions. The findings of this study may be useful in counseling patients who suffer from APOS following ATL for temporal lobe epilepsy.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy M. McKhann ◽  
Julie Schoenfeld-McNeill ◽  
Donald E. Born ◽  
Michael M. Haglund ◽  
George A. Ojemann

Object. Among the variety of surgical procedures that are performed for the treatment of medically refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), no consensus exists as to how much of the hippocampus should be removed. Whether all patients require a maximal hippocampal resection has not yet been determined.Methods. At the University of Washington, all TLE operations are performed in a tailored fashion, guided by electrocorticography (ECoG). The amount of hippocampal resection is determined intraoperatively by the extent of interictal epileptiform abnormalities on ECoG recorded from that structure, resulting in a hippocampal resection that is individualized for each patient. Using this approach, the authors prospectively observed 140 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for mesial TLE with pathological diagnoses of either mesial temporal sclerosis with neuronal loss (MTS group) or mild gliosis without neuronal loss (non-MTS group) to determine whether the extent of hippocampal resection correlates with outcome when a tailored approach is used. Additionally, the authors analyzed whether the presence of residual interictal epileptiform activity on ECoG following mesial temporal resection predicts poorer seizure control.With at least 18 months of clinical follow up, 67% of the 140 patients were seizure free or had only a single postoperative seizure. There was no correlation between the size of the hippocampal resection and seizure control in the group as a whole or when stratified by pathological subtype. Using an intraoperatively tailored strategy, individuals with a larger hippocampal resection (> 2.5 cm) were not more likely to have seizure-free outcomes than patients with smaller resections (p = 0.9). Additionally, both MTS and non-MTS patients, in whom postoperative ECoG detected residual epileptiform hippocampal (but not cortical or parahippocampal) interictal activity following surgical resection, had significantly worse seizure outcomes (p = 0.01 in the MTS group; p = 0.002 in the non-MTS group).Conclusions. Intraoperative hippocampal ECoG can predict how much hippocampus should be removed to maximize seizure-free outcome, allowing for sparing of possibly functionally important hippocampus.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Mansouri ◽  
Aria Fallah ◽  
Mary Pat McAndrews ◽  
Melanie Cohn ◽  
Diana Mayor ◽  
...  

Objective. To report our institutional seizure and neuropsychological outcomes for a series of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) undergoing anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) or selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SelAH) between 2004 and 2011. Methods. A retrospective study of patients with mTLE was conducted. Seizure outcome was reported using time-to-event analysis. Cognitive outcome was reported using the change principal in component factor scores, one each, for intellectual abilities, visuospatial memory, and verbal memory. The Boston Naming Test was used for naming assessment. Language dominant and nondominant resections were compared separately. Student’s t-test was used to assess statistical significance. Results. Ninety-six patients (75 ATL, 21 SelAH) were included; fifty-four had complete neuropsychological follow-up. Median follow-up was 40.5 months. There was no statistically significant difference in seizure freedom or any of the neuropsychological outcomes, although there was a trend toward greater postoperative decline in naming in the dominant hemisphere group following ATL. Conclusion. Seizure and neuropsychological outcomes did not differ for the two surgical approaches which is similar to most prior studies. Given the theoretical possibility of SelAH sparing language function in patients with epilepsy secondary to mesial temporal sclerosis and the limited high-quality evidence creating equipoise, a multicenter randomized clinical trial is warranted.


1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahal Mavaddat ◽  
Barbara J. Sahakian ◽  
Peter J. A. Hutchinson ◽  
Peter J. Kirkpatrick

Object. This study was conducted to define neuropsychological changes following operation for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by rupture of an anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm and to assess the influence of the timing of surgery to clip the aneurysm.Methods. Cognitive outcome was evaluated using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery in patients with an ACoA aneurysm that had caused an SAH. Adult patients younger than 70 years of age who had achieved a favorable neurological outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale scores of 4 or 5) were studied 6 to 24 months postsurgery. Patients were divided into early (Days 0–3) and late surgery groups (after Day 3) according to the timing of surgery after the ictus. Neuropsychological analysis was performed by reviewers who were blinded to the timing of surgery.Forty-seven patients whose mean age was 51.5 years were tested. They were compared with age- and intelligence quotient (IQ)—matched controls by using premorbid IQ as estimated on the National Adult Reading Test. Patients showed deficiencies in several tasks of verbal fluency, pattern recognition, and spatial working memory; this profile of deficits was similar to that seen in patients who underwent temporal lobe excisions. However, there was no significant difference in cognitive performance between the early and late surgery groups.Conclusions. After open surgery for ruptured ACoA aneurysms, patients who have achieved a favorable neurological outcome still exhibit significant cognitive deficits, primarily in tests sensitive to temporal lobe dysfunction. However, early surgery does not carry a higher risk of neuropsychological disability.


1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 855-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Vajkoczy ◽  
Karsten Krakow ◽  
Stefan Stodieck ◽  
Bernd Pohlmann-Eden ◽  
Peter Schmiedek

Object. The authors propose a novel surgical approach for amygdalohippocampectomy (AH) in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Via a transsylvian—transcisternal route, the parahippocampal gyrus is directly exposed from its medial aspect, thus allowing a standardized en bloc resection of the temporomesial epileptogenic structures—the amygdala, anterior hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, and subiculum. Additional anatomical studies have been performed for standardization of this approach. Methods. From 1990 to 1996, 32 patients presenting with medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy underwent AH via the transsylvian—transcisternal approach. Preoperative computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed temporomesial lesions in 16 patients. Histopathological examination revealed cavernous malformations in seven patients, low-grade astrocytomas in four, hamartomas in three, and gangliogliomas in two patients. Specimens obtained in patients with no lesions were diagnosed as hippocampal sclerosis in all cases. No patient experienced permanent morbidity. Nine percent of the patients developed a temporary partial oculomotor nerve palsy. Only one patient developed a postoperative visual field deficit with a contralateral quadrantanopsia. With respect to seizure outcome, all patients benefited from surgery. At follow-up evaluation (mean 26.4 months), 80% of the patients were free from seizures (Engel Class I). Eight patients in this group were no longer receiving medication. Seventeen percent had experienced only one to several seizures since surgery (Engel Class II) and 3% reported a worthwhile improvement (Engel Class III). Conclusions. In contrast to previously described standard techniques for AH, the transsylvian—transcisternal approach presented in this study offers improved anatomical orientation and intraoperative control over the mesial temporal lobe and preserves the lateral as well as the laterobasal temporal lobe.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 141-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Régis ◽  
Fabrice Bartolomei ◽  
M. Rey ◽  
Motohiro Hayashi ◽  
Patrick Chauvel ◽  
...  

Object. Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) allows precise and complete destruction of chosen target structures containing healthy and/or pathological cells, without causing significant radiation damage to adjacent tissues. Almost all the well-documented cases of radiosurgery for epilepsy are for epilepsies associated with space-occupying lesions. These results prompted the authors to investigate the use of radiosurgery as a new way of treating epilepsy not associated with space-occupying lesions. Methods. To evaluate this new method, 25 patients who presented with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) were selected. A follow up of more than 24 months is now available for 16 patients. The preoperative evaluation was performed as it usually is in patients selected for microsurgery for MTLE. In lieu of microsurgery, the treatment of amygdalohippocampal structures was performed using GKS. Thirteen (81%) of these 16 patients are seizure free, and two are improved. The median latent interval from GKS to seizure cessation was 10.5 months (range 6–21 months). Two patients were immediately seizure free. The median latency in aura cessation was 15.5 months (range 9–22 months). Morphological changes on magnetic resonance imaging were visible at 11 months (median) after GKS (range 7–22 months). During the onset period of these radiological changes, three patients experienced headache associated, in two cases, with nausea and vomiting. In these three patients the signs resolved immediately after prescription of low doses of steroids. No cases of permanent neurological deficit (except three cases of nonsymptomatic visual field deficit), or morbidity, or mortality were observed. Conclusions. This initial experience indicates that there is short- to middle-term efficiency and safety when using GKS to treat MTLE. Further long-term follow up is required. It seems that the introduction of GKS into epilepsy treatment can reduce the invasiveness and morbidity.


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