scholarly journals Multimodal localization and surgery for epileptic spasms of focal origin: a review

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. E4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taylor J. Abel ◽  
Emma Losito ◽  
George M. Ibrahim ◽  
Eishi Asano ◽  
James T. Rutka
Keyword(s):  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Invasive Monitoring ◽  
Current State ◽  
Epileptic Spasms ◽  
Clinical Series ◽  
Postoperative Seizure ◽  
Monitoring Technologies

Epileptic spasms (ES) are a common manifestation of intractable epilepsy in early life and can lead to devastating neurodevelopmental consequences. Epilepsy surgery for ES is challenging because of inherent difficulties in localizing the epileptogenic zone in affected infants and children. However, recent clinical series of resective neurosurgery for ES suggest that not only is surgery a viable option for appropriately selected patients, but postoperative seizure outcomes can be similar to those achieved in other types of focal epilepsy. Increased awareness of ES as a potentially focal epilepsy, along with advances in neuroimaging and invasive monitoring technologies, have led to the ability to surgically treat many patients with ES who were previously not considered surgical candidates. In this study, the authors review the current state of epilepsy surgery for ES. Specifically, they address how advances in neuroimaging and invasive monitoring have facilitated patient selection, presurgical evaluation, and ultimately, resection planning.

Interhemispheric Subdural Electrodes: Technique, Utility, and Safety

2013 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. ons253-ons260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarek Abuelem ◽  
David Elliot Friedman ◽  
Satish Agadi ◽  
Angus A. Wilfong ◽  
Daniel Yoshor
Keyword(s):  
Patient Monitoring ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Mass Effect ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Epileptic Focus ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Invasive Monitoring ◽  
Cortical Function ◽  
Subdural Electrodes ◽  
Dorsolateral Cortex

Abstract BACKGROUND: Invasive monitoring using subdural electrodes is often valuable for characterizing the anatomic source of seizures in intractable epilepsy. Covering the interhemispheric surface with subdural electrodes represents a particular challenge, with a potentially higher risk of complications than covering the dorsolateral cortex. OBJECTIVE: To better understand the safety and utility of interhemispheric subdural electrodes (IHSE). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 24 patients who underwent implantation of IHSE by a single neurosurgeon from 2003 to 2010. Generous midline exposure, meticulous preservation of veins, and sharp microdissection were used to facilitate safe interhemispheric grid placement under direct visualization. RESULTS: The number of IHSE contacts implanted ranged from 10 to 106 (mean = 39.8) per patient. Monitoring lasted for 5.5 days on average (range, 2-24 days), with an adequate sample of seizures captured in all patients before explantation, and with a low complication rate similar to that reported for grid implantation of the dorsolateral cortex. One patient (of 24) experienced symptomatic mass effect. No other complications clearly related to grid implantation and monitoring, such as clinically evident neurological deficits, infection, hematoma, or infarction, were noted. Among patients implanted with IHSE, monitoring led to a paramedian cortical resection in 67%, a resection in a region not covered by IHSE in 17%, and explantation without resection in 17%. CONCLUSION: When clinical factors suggest the possibility of an epileptic focus at or near the midline, invasive monitoring of the paramedian cortex with interhemispheric grids can be safely used to define the epileptogenic zone and map local cortical function.

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.

scholarly journals Value of stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG)-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation in treating drug-resistant focal epilepsy

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-202
Author(s):  
Jianjun Bai ◽  
Wenjing Zhou ◽  
Haixiang Wang ◽  
Bingqing Zhang ◽  
Jiuluan Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Presurgical Evaluation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Limited Efficacy ◽  
Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation ◽  
Temporary Treatment ◽  
Promising Treatment

Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) has been widely used in the presurgical evaluation of patients with medically intractable epilepsy. In the past, SEEG was commonly used as a method for mapping and localizing the epileptogenic zone (EZ). Since 2004, several studies have been conducted to examine the effectiveness of SEEG-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RF-TC) in treating refractory epilepsy. However, the seizure-free and responder rates varied greatly across studies. We aimed to analyze the outcome of 56 patients who were treated with SEEG-guided RF-TC to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment. SEEG-guided RF-TC can be considered as a treatment for refractory epilepsy. However, due to its limited efficacy, SEEG-guided RF-TC might be regarded as a temporary treatment performed under SEEG rather than a promising treatment for refractory epilepsy.

scholarly journals Correlation between magnetoencephalography-based “clusterectomy” and postoperative seizure freedom

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumeet Vadera ◽  
Lara Jehi ◽  
Richard C. Burgess ◽  
Katherine Shea ◽  
Andreas V. Alexopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Cleveland Clinic ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Resection Cavity ◽  
Main Cluster ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Postoperative Seizure

Object During the presurgical evaluation of patients with medically intractable focal epilepsy, a variety of noninvasive studies are performed to localize the hypothetical epileptogenic zone and guide the resection. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is becoming increasingly used in the clinical realm for this purpose. No investigators have previously reported on coregisteration of MEG clusters with postoperative resection cavities to evaluate whether complete “clusterectomy” (resection of the area associated with MEG clusters) was performed or to compare these findings with postoperative seizure-free outcomes. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts and imaging studies of 65 patients undergoing MEG followed by resective epilepsy surgery from 2009 until 2012 at the Cleveland Clinic. Preoperative MEG studies were fused with postoperative MRI studies to evaluate whether clusters were within the resected area. These data were then correlated with postoperative seizure freedom. Results Sixty-five patients were included in this study. The average duration of follow-up was 13.9 months, the mean age at surgery was 23.1 years, and the mean duration of epilepsy was 13.7 years. In 30 patients, the main cluster was located completely within the resection cavity, in 28 it was completely outside the resection cavity, and in 7 it was partially within the resection cavity. Seventy-four percent of patients were seizure free at 12 months after surgery, and this rate decreased to 60% at 24 months. Improved likelihood of seizure freedom was seen with complete clusterectomy in patients with localization outside the temporal lobe (extra–temporal lobe epilepsy) (p = 0.04). Conclusions In patients with preoperative MEG studies that show clusters in surgically accessible areas outside the temporal lobe, we suggest aggressive resection to improve the chances for seizure freedom. When the cluster is found within the temporal lobe, further diagnostic testing may be required to better localize the epileptogenic zone.

scholarly journals Epilepsy Surgery Series: A Study of 502 Consecutive Patients from a Developing Country

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Alsemari ◽  
Faisal Al-Otaibi ◽  
Salah Baz ◽  
Ibrahim Althubaiti ◽  
Hisham Aldhalaan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Mesial Temporal Sclerosis ◽  
Brain Scans ◽  
Temporal Epilepsy ◽  
Dual Pathology ◽  
Surgery Outcome ◽  
Postoperative Seizure

Purpose. To review the postoperative seizure outcomes of patients that underwent surgery for epilepsy at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC). Methods. A descriptive retrospective study for 502 patients operated on for medically intractable epilepsy between 1998 and 2012. The surgical outcome was measured using the ILAE criteria. Results. The epilepsy surgery outcome for temporal lobe epilepsy surgery (ILAE classes 1, 2, and 3) at 12, 36, and 60 months is 79.6%, 74.2%, and 67%, respectively. The favorable 12- and 36-month outcomes for frontal lobe epilepsy surgery are 62% and 52%, respectively. For both parietal and occipital epilepsy lobe surgeries the 12- and 36-month outcomes are 67%. For multilobar epilepsy surgery, the 12- and 36-month outcomes are 65% and 50%, respectively. The 12- and 36-month outcomes for functional hemispherectomy epilepsy surgery are 64.2% and 63%, respectively. According to histopathology diagnosis, mesiotemporal sclerosis (MTS) and benign CNS tumors had the best favorable outcome after surgery at 1 year (77.27% and 84.3%, resp.,) and 3 years (76% and 75%, resp.,). The least favorable seizure-free outcome after 3 years occurred in cases with dual pathology (66.6%). Thirty-four epilepsy patients with normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans were surgically treated. The first- and third-year epilepsy surgery outcome of 17 temporal lobe surgeries were (53%) and (47%) seizure-free, respectively. The first- and third-year epilepsy surgery outcomes of 15 extratemporal epilepsy surgeries were (47%) and (33%) seizure-free. Conclusion. The best outcomes are achieved with temporal epilepsy surgery, mesial temporal sclerosis, and benign CNS tumor. The worst outcomes are from multilobar surgery, dual pathology, and normal MRI.

scholarly journals Resective Epilepsy Surgery for Tuberous Sclerosis in Children

Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aria Fallah ◽  
Shaun D. Rodgers ◽  
Alexander G. Weil ◽  
Sumeet Vadera ◽  
Alireza Mansouri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tuberous Sclerosis ◽  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Cleveland Clinic ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Seizure Outcome ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Children's Hospital ◽  
Children’S Hospital

Abstract BACKGROUND: There are no established variables that predict the success of curative resective epilepsy surgery in children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). OBJECTIVE: We performed a multicenter observational study to identify preoperative factors associated with seizure outcome in children with TSC undergoing resective epilepsy surgery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed in eligible children at New York Medical Center, Miami Children's Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, BC Children's Hospital, Hospital for Sick Children, and Sainte-Justine Hospital between January 2005 and December 2013. A time-to-event analysis was performed. The “event” was defined as seizures after resective epilepsy surgery. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients (41 male) were included. The median age of the patients at the time of surgery was 120 months (range, 3-216 months). The median time to seizure recurrence was 24.0 ± 12.7 months. Engel Class I outcome was achieved in 48 (65%) and 37 (50%) patients at 1- and 2-year follow-up, respectively. On univariate analyses, younger age at seizure onset (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-4.00, P = .04), larger size of predominant tuber (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.99-1.06, P = .12), and resection larger than a tuberectomy (HR: 1.86, 95% CI: 0.92-3.74, P = .084) were associated with a longer duration of seizure freedom. In multivariate analyses, resection larger than a tuberectomy (HR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.17-7.18, P = .022) was independently associated with a longer duration of seizure freedom. CONCLUSION: In this large consecutive cohort of children with TSC and medically intractable epilepsy, a greater extent of resection (more than just the tuber) is associated with a greater probability of seizure freedom. This suggests that the epileptogenic zone may include the cortex surrounding the presumed offending tuber.

scholarly journals Strategic hospital partnerships: improved access to care and increased epilepsy surgical volume

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumeet Vadera ◽  
Alvin Y. Chan ◽  
Lilit Mnatsankanyan ◽  
Mona Sazgar ◽  
Indranil Sen-Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Access To Care ◽  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Invasive Monitoring ◽  
Strategic Partnerships ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The University ◽  
Improve Patient

OBJECTIVESurgical treatment of patients with medically refractory focal epilepsy is underutilized. Patients may lack access to surgically proficient centers. The University of California, Irvine (UCI) entered strategic partnerships with 2 epilepsy centers with limited surgical capabilities. A formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) was created to provide epilepsy surgery to patients from these centers.METHODSThe authors analyzed UCI surgical and financial data associated with patients undergoing epilepsy surgery between September 2012 and June 2016, before and after institution of the MOU. Variables collected included the length of stay, patient age, seizure semiology, use of invasive monitoring, and site of surgery as well as the monthly number of single-surgery cases, complex cases (i.e., staged surgeries), and overall number of surgery cases.RESULTSOver the 46 months of the study, a total of 104 patients underwent a total of 200 operations; 71 operations were performed in 39 patients during the pre-MOU period (28 months) and 129 operations were performed in 200 patients during the post-MOU period (18 months). There was a significant difference in the use of invasive monitoring, the site of surgery, the final therapy, and the type of insurance. The number of single-surgery cases, complex-surgery cases, and the overall number of cases increased significantly.CONCLUSIONSPartnerships with outside epilepsy centers are a means to increase access to surgical care. These partnerships are likely reproducible, can be mutually beneficial to all centers involved, and ultimately improve patient access to care.

Ethical Issue as the Limiting Factor for Epilepsy Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (03) ◽  
pp. 097-099
Author(s):  
Satyanarayana Gedela ◽  
Christian Korff
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issue ◽  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Rasmussen’S Encephalitis ◽  
The Right ◽  
Available Resources

AbstractEpilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders with almost one-third of these patients becoming intractable to medical treatments. For some of these patients, epilepsy surgery could be the best option. There are lot of disparities in caring of the epilepsy patients. There are multiple limitations in offering epilepsy surgery for the medically intractable epilepsy patients, resulting in almost 19 years gap from the diagnosis of intractable epilepsy to epilepsy surgery. These limitations range from patient or parental fear to lack of available resources. Sometimes we face an ethical issue being the limitation from doing the right thing for the patient. We want to share our experience with one of our patients with symptomatic medically intractable focal epilepsy from Rasmussen’s encephalitis who could not get the epilepsy surgery treatment because of an ethical issue.

Safety of Staged Epilepsy Surgery in Children

Neurosurgery ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Roth ◽  
Chad Carlson ◽  
Orrin Devinsky ◽  
David H. Harter ◽  
William S. MacAllister ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Electrode Placement ◽  
Wound Complications ◽  
Neurosurgical Procedures ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Invasive Monitoring ◽  
Depth Electrodes ◽  
Major Complications ◽  
Medically Refractory Epilepsy

Abstract BACKGROUND: Surgical resection of epileptic foci relies on accurate localization of the epileptogenic zone, often achieved by subdural and depth electrodes. Our epilepsy center has treated selected children with poorly localized medically refractory epilepsy with a staged surgical protocol, with at least 1 phase of invasive monitoring for localization and resection of epileptic foci. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of staged surgical treatments for refractory epilepsy among children. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected, including surgical details and complications of all patients who underwent invasive monitoring. RESULTS: A total of 161 children underwent 200 admissions including staged procedures (>1 surgery during 1 hospital admission), and 496 total surgeries. Average age at surgery was 7 years (range, 8 months to 16.5 years). A total of 250 surgeries included resections (and invasive monitoring), and 189 involved electrode placement only. The cumulative total number of surgeries per patient ranged from 2 to 10 (average, 3). The average duration of monitoring was 10 days (range, 1–30). There were no deaths. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 10 years. Major complications included unexpected new permanent mild neurological deficits (2%/admission), central nervous system or bone flap infections (1.5%/admission), intracranial hemorrhage, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and a retained strip (each 0.5%/admission). Minor complications included bone absorption (5%/admission), positive surveillance sub-/epidural cultures in asymptomatic patients (5.5%/admission), noninfectious fever (5%/admission), and wound complications (3%/admission). Thirty complications necessitated additional surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Staged epilepsy surgery with invasive electrode monitoring is safe in children with poorly localized medically refractory epilepsy. The rate of major complications is low and appears comparable to that associated with other elective neurosurgical procedures.

Epilepsy surgery

2019 ◽  
pp. practneurol-2019-002192 ◽  
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.

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