Psychiatric outcomes of epilepsy surgery: A systematic review

Psychiatric Illness Is Common Among Patients with Orthopaedic Polytrauma and Is Linked with Poor Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Psychiatric disorders are common, and their functional consequences may be underappreciated by non-mental health-care providers. There exist limited data regarding the frequency of psychiatric illness in patients who sustain orthopaedic polytrauma. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of psychiatric illness in patients with orthopaedic polytrauma, to determine whether psychiatric illnesses were identified and were accommodated by trauma providers, and, finally, to investigate any associations between postoperative complications and psychiatric illness.

METHODS

Three hundred and thirty-two skeletally mature patients with surgically treated axial and/or femoral fractures and injuries to other body systems (Injury Severity Score of ≥ 16 points) were identified from a database at a Level-I trauma center. These included 238 men and ninety-four women with a mean value (and standard deviation) of 39 ± 16 years for age and 27 ± 12 points for the Injury Severity Score. Records were reviewed for preexisting diagnoses of psychiatric disorders. The inpatient courses and discharge recommendations regarding treatment of psychiatric illness were analyzed. Complications in the six-month postoperative period were determined by an independent committee.

RESULTS

Preexisting psychiatric disorders were identified in 130 patients (39.2%), including depression in seventy-four patients (22.3%) and substance abuse in fifty-six patients (16.9%). Patients managed by an orthopaedic surgery service were less likely to receive their home psychiatric medications while hospitalized (p = 0.001) and were less likely to receive instructions for psychiatric follow-up at discharge (p = 0.087). Postoperative complications occurred in sixty-six patients (19.9%) overall; depression was an independent predictor of increased complications, with an odds ratio of 2.956 (95% confidence interval, 1.502 to 5.816).

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatric illness was common among individuals who sustained orthopaedic polytrauma, and patients with depression had more complications. This study highlights the need for greater attention to mental health disorders in this population.

Psychiatric disorders as "hidden" contraindications for presurgical VEEG in patients with refractory epilepsy: A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary center

Given the high frequency of psychiatric disorders (PDs) observed among patients with epilepsy, studies have highlighted the necessity of psychiatric evaluation for these patients, especially for those with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE-MTS) who are surgical candidates. Current evidence highlights the safety of video-electroencephalography (VEEG) as a means of investigation in patients with TLE-MTS and PDs. However, the presence of such disorders has still been seen as a contraindication for presurgical evaluation with VEEG in some epilepsy centers mainly because of the risk of negative behavioral events. The present retrospective cohort study performed in a Brazilian tertiary epilepsy center aimed to identify whether the presence of a PD remains a contraindication for presurgical VEEG. Clinical, sociodemographic, and psychiatric data from 41 patients who underwent VEEG as part of their presurgical evaluation were compared to data from 32 patients with refractory TLE-MTS who had not undergone VEEG. Psychiatric diagnoses were determined using the DSM-IV and ILAE criteria. Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 34 patients (46.6%). Major depressive disorder was the most frequent PD and was observed in 22 patients (30.1%). Anxiety disorders were observed in 14 patients (19.2%). Of the 41 patients (56.2%) who underwent presurgical VEEG, only 12 (29.2%) were found to have a PD during the presurgical psychiatric evaluation compared to 22 of the 32 (68.7%) who did not undergo VEEG (p=0.001; RR=2.35). The present findings suggest that the presence of a PD alone should not be a contraindication for VEEG monitoring and epilepsy surgery.

Outcomes after Epilepsy Surgery

Epilepsy surgery is a highly effective and durable treatment for specific types of drug resistant epilepsy such as temporal lobe epilepsy. assessment of outcomes is essential in epilepsy surgery, which is an irreversible intervention for a chronic condition. Excellent short-term results of resective epilepsy surgery have been established. In the last years more information regarding long term outcomes have been published. This article reviews the best available evidence about the best measures to assess outcomes and the most important evidence. The outcomes reviewed in this article are the following: seizure outcome, social and psychiatric outcomes, complications and mortality.

Psychiatric outcome of epilepsy surgery in patients with psychosis and temporal lobe drug-resistant epilepsy: a prospective case series

OBJECTIVES

Temporal lobe resistant epilepsy has been associated with a high incidence of psychotic disorders; however, there are many controversies; while some patients get better after surgery from their psychiatric condition, others develop psychosis or de novo depression. The aim of this study was to determine the psychiatric and seizure outcome after epilepsy surgery in patients with a previous history of psychoses.

METHODS

Surgical candidates with temporal lobe drug-resistant epilepsy and a positive history of psychosis diagnosed during the presurgical psychiatric assessment were included. A two-year prospective follow-up was determined after surgery. The DSM-IV Structural Interview, GAF (global assessment of functionality, DSM-IV), Ictal Classification for psychoses, and Engel's classification were used. The Student t test and chi-square-Fisher tests were used.

RESULTS

During 2000-2010, 89 patients were admitted to the epilepsy surgery program, 14 patients (15.7%) presented psychoses and were included in this series. After surgery, six patients (43%) did not develop any psychiatric complications, three patients (21%) with chronic interictal psychosis continued with no exacerbation, three patients (21%) developed acute and transient psychotic symptoms, and two patients (14%) developed de novo depression. Seizure outcome was Engel class I-II in 10 patients (71%). Total GAF scores were higher after surgery in patients found to be in Engel class I-II (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with comorbid psychosis and temporal lobe drug-resistant epilepsy may benefit from epilepsy surgery under close psychiatric supervision.

[Epilepsy surgery--assessment and patient selection]

BACKGROUND

Considerable progress in diagnostic imaging and video EEG monitoring has improved the possibilities of localising the epileptogenic zone of the brain in patients with epilepsy. Despite the fact that epilepsy surgery can therefore be offered to more patients today than previously, relatively few patients are referred for an assessment for surgery. The aim of this review is to provide a brief account of the patient selection procedures and the investigations prior to epilepsy surgery.

METHOD

The review is based on a literature search in PubMed and the personal experiences of the authors in this field.

RESULTS

If the epilepsy does not respond to any kind of pharmacological treatment, and idiopathic generalised epilepsy and pseudoresistance have been ruled out, the patient should be evaluated for surgery. The evaluation is multidisciplinary, and the aim is to localise the epileptogenic zone, which can be identified by both structural and functional abnormalities. It must be determined before the operation whether the zone can be removed without leaving severe neurological or cognitive impairment. The best results after epilepsy surgery are seen in patients with a morphological substrate, particularly temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis.

INTERPRETATION

Epilepsy surgery plays an ever more important role in the treatment of patients with drug resistant seizures. Doctors who treat epileptic patients should refer candidates for surgery at an early stage of the disease.

The effect of epilepsy surgery on caregiver quality of life

PURPOSE

Epilepsy surgery has been shown to improve patient quality of life (QOL). Little is known about its effect on caregiver QOL.

METHODS

The study population comprised of 26 persons with epilepsy (PWE) who underwent long term video EEG monitoring at Massachusetts General Hospital for presurgical evaluation along with 16 caregivers. The PWE completed epilepsy directed QOL (QOLIE-31) and psychological (Beck depression-BDI and anxiety inventory-BAI) questionnaires before and after surgery. Their participating caregivers completed generic health related QOL (SF36v2) and disease burden (Zarit caregiver burden inventory-ZCBI) questionnaires before and after surgery. Demographic data for all participants and disease/surgery related data for the PWE were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to compare PWE and caregiver QOL before and after surgery.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 37 years. Most (77%) suffered from symptomatic partial epilepsy for approximately 18 years prior to surgery, averaging 4 seizures per month and 2.2 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). 78% of them underwent an anterior temporal lobectomy and the rest extra-temporal resections. On follow up at approximately 9 months, 69% had a surgical outcome of Engel class I, 23% of class II and 8% class IV. Postoperatively, the PWE remained on average on 1.9 AEDs. There was a statistically significant improvement for both the aggregate QOLIE-31 score and all its subscales (except for medication effects) as well as the BAI scores. 96% of the PWE felt that the decision to go through surgery was worthwhile. Mean caregivers age was 47 years. Half of them were spouses to the PWE and the majority of the rest their parents. 50% of them stated that their overall time devoted to patient's care decreased after surgery and 50% that it remained unchanged. The mental component scale (SF36v2, MCS) of caregiver QOL showed statistically significant improvement. ZCBI score and the physical component scale of their QOL (SF36v2, PCS) did not significantly vary before and after surgery. 75% of caregivers deemed their QOL better post surgery vs 19% similar. 94% of the caregivers felt that the decision to go through surgery was worthwhile.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful epilepsy surgery has a positive impact not only to patient QOL but also to their caregiver. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first pilot study to systematically address the impact of epilepsy surgery on caregivers providing additional support to epilepsy surgery as the optimal treatment modality in carefully selected patients. These findings call for further investigation on the caregiver quality of life in epilepsy and for its inclusion in the treatment plan and quality indicators for epilepsy surgery.

Are psychiatric disorders exclusion criteria for video-EEG monitoring and epilepsy surgery in patients with mesial temporal sclerosis?

Epilepsy surgery (ES) is a treatment option for patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, psychiatric disorders (PDs) have been a contraindication for presurgical evaluation in many epilepsy centers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of video-EEG (VEEG) and surgical outcome in patients with refractory TLE and mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE-MTS) associated with PDs. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, sociodemographic, and VEEG data and surgery outcome of patients with refractory TLE-MTS who underwent ES over the period of 2002 to 2011 and compared data between those with and without PDs. Psychiatric evaluation was performed through DSM-IV and ILAE criteria. Safety during presurgical evaluation was analyzed by the rate of adverse events (AEs). Patients' quality of life (QOL) was measured through ESI-55 and the surgical outcome through Engel's classification. Data from 145 patients were included. The mean VEEG length (93h) was not affected by PDs. Among patients with PDs, 4.91% (3/61) had AEs, and 13.11% (8/61) had psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNESs). Among patients without PDs, 4.76% (4/84) had AEs, and 5.95% (5/84) had PNESs. In the first two follow-up years, of the 94 patients who underwent ES, 65.85% (27/41) with PDs and 67.92% (36/53) without PDs became free of disabling seizures (Engel I). No significant differences were observed in the patients' QOL between both groups after surgery. The rate of AEs and seizure outcome did not differ significantly between both groups, reinforcing the idea that PDs should not be absolute exclusion criteria for VEEG monitoring and epilepsy surgery among patients with TLE-MTS.

Predicting and preventing psychopathology following temporal lobe epilepsy surgery

Less than 3% of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) surgical outcome studies have investigated the psychiatric sequelae and morbidity associated with surgery. This is disproportionate to the extent of the problem. Variable prevalence rates have been reported for post-surgical depression, anxiety, and interictal psychosis. Until recently, very few studies distinguished de novo postoperative presentations from pre-existing conditions, making it difficult to accurately assess the impact of TLE surgery on psychiatric morbidity. Predictors of de novo postoperative presentations have proved elusive. This current review summarizes the findings from a systematic literature review of the psychiatric morbidity associated with TLE surgery including newly published follow-up data from our own series of 280 surgical patients. A framework for future research, possible pathophysiological mechanisms, and translational models are also discussed.

Epilepsy surgery utilization: who, when, where, and why?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Using the most recent evidence, we provide an update on epilepsy surgery, focusing on its effectiveness, reasons for underutilization, considerations of candidacy and timing for referral for epilepsy surgery evaluation.

RECENT FINDINGS

The course of illness of epilepsy is being characterized. Well conducted studies describe the patterns of seizure remission and relapse with medical therapy and also in response to epilepsy surgery. Epilepsy surgery is highly effective in selected patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). The risk-benefit of epilepsy surgery is well known and consistent around the world. However, epilepsy surgery remains underutilized. A randomized controlled trial and Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) supporting epilepsy surgery have had no discernible impact on referral rates for epilepsy surgery evaluation. Criteria and guidelines are being developed for identifying patients who need to be referred for epilepsy surgery evaluation. Quality indicators for epilepsy care now also include the need to consider surgical candidacy every 3 years in DRE. New developments in imaging and neurophysiology promise to help clinicians identify and treat patients more accurately.

SUMMARY

Surgery is effective but underused. Comprehensive interventions to translate evidence to practice in epilepsy surgery are urgently needed.

Hippocampal stimulation in the treatment of epilepsy

Neuromodulation is one of the fastest growing fields in neurosurgery, as reflected by the growing interest in the use of electrical brain stimulation (EBS) to treat drug-resistant epilepsy, pain, and movement disorders. Hippocampal stimulation should be regarded as an experimental therapy for epilepsy, and patients considered for this intervention should do so in the context of a well-designed randomized controlled trial. Only well-conducted, blinded, randomized trials, followed by long-term systematic observation will yield a clear picture of the effect of this promising therapy, and will help guide its future use. This article provides a critical review of the best available evidence on hippocampal stimulation for epilepsy.

Surgical techniques for the treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of medically intractable epilepsy. Advances in electrophysiology and neuroimaging have led to a more precise localization of the epileptogenic zone within the temporal lobe. Resective surgery is the most effective treatment for TLE. Despite the variability in surgical techniques and in the extent of resection, the overall outcomes of different TLE surgeries are similar. Here, we review different surgical interventions for the management of TLE.

Prediction of neuropsychological outcome after resection of temporal and extratemporal seizure foci

Resection of seizure foci is an effective treatment for the control of medically intractable epilepsy. However, cognitive morbidity can occur as a result of surgical intervention. This morbidity is dependent on several factors, including location and extent of resection, disease characteristics, patient demographic characteristics, and functional status of the tissue to be resected. In this review article, the authors provide a summary of the neurocognitive outcomes of epilepsy surgery with an emphasis on presurgical predictors of postsurgical cognitive decline.

Pre-surgical mood disorders associated to worse post-surgical seizure outcome in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis

OBJECTIVES: This study aims at verifying the impact of pre-surgical PD on seizure outcome in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE-MTS). METHODS: After previous consent, retrospective data from 115 surgically treated (corticoamygdalohyppocampectomy) TLE-MTS patients (65 females; 56.5%) were analyzed. Psychiatric evaluations were performed through DSM-IV criteria. Engel IA was established as a favorable prognosis. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (41.6%) were classified as Engel IA, while 47 (40.8%) presented pre-surgical PD. Depression (OR=5.11; p=0.004) appeared as a risk factor associated to a non-favorable seizure outcome. CONCLUSION: In patients with refractory TLE-MTS, the presence of depression predicts an unfavorable outcome.