Management of Epilepsy Due to Hypothalamic Hamartomas

Hypothalamic Hamartoma related epilepsy: A systematic review exploring clinical, neuropsychological, and psychiatric outcome after surgery

The post-surgical outcome for Hypothalamic Hamartoma (HH) related epilepsy in terms of seizure freedom (SF) has been extensively studied, while cognitive and psychiatric outcome has been less frequently reported and defined. This is a systematic review of English language papers, analyzing the post-surgical outcome in series of patients with HH-related epilepsy (≥5 patients, at least 6 months follow-up), published within January 2002-December 2022. SF was measured using Engel scale/equivalent scales. We looked at the outcome related to different surgical techniques, and HH types according to Delalande classification. We evaluated the neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric status after surgery, and the occurrence of post-surgical complications. Forty-six articles reporting 1318 patients were included, of which ten pediatric series. SF was reported in 686/1222 patients (56,1%). Delalande classification was reported in 663 patients from 24 studies, of which 70 were type I HH (10%), 320 were type II HH (48%), 189 were type III HH (29%) and 84 were type IV HH (13%). The outcome in term of SF was reported in 243 out of 663 patients. SF was reported in 12 of 24 type I HH (50%), 80 of 132 type II HH (60,6%), 32 of 59 type III HH (54,2%) and 12 of 28 type IV HH (42,9%). SF was reached in 129/262 (49,2%) after microsurgery, 102/199 (51,3%) after endoscopic surgery, 46/114 (40,6%) after gamma knife surgery, 245/353 (69,4%) after radiofrequency thermocoagulation, and 107/152 (70,4%) after MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy. Hyperphagia/weight gain were the most reported surgical complications. Others were electrolyte alterations, diabetes insipidus, hypotiroidism, transient hyperthermia/poikilothermia. The highest percentage of memory deficits was reported after microsurgery, while hemiparesis and cranial nerves palsy were reported after microsurgery or endoscopic surgery. Thirty studies reported developmental delay/intellectual disability in 424/819 (51,7%) patients. 248/346 patients obtained a global improvement (72%), 70/346 were stable (20%), 28/346 got worse (8%). 22 studies reported psychiatric disorders in 257/465 patients (55,3%). 78/98 patients improved (80%), 13/98 remained stable (13%), 7/98 got worse (7%). Most of the patients had non-structured cognitive/psychiatric assessments. Based on the available data, the surgical management in patients with HH related epilepsy should be individualized, aiming to reach not only the best epilepsy result, but also the optimal cognitive and psychiatric outcome.

Direct resection is a safe and effective strategy to control seizures in patients with hypothalamic hamartoma

Achieving favorable seizure outcomes is challenging in patients with seizures resulting from hypothalamic hamartoma. Although minimally invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures are used to treat this population, these procedures have limitations. Therefore, we analyzed the outcomes of patients with hypothalamic hamartoma following direct resection. We included 159 patients with hypothalamic hamartoma who underwent direct resection using the transcallosal interforniceal approach between 2011 and 2018. The relationships between clinical parameters and seizure outcomes were analyzed. In total, 55.3% achieved gross total resection and 25.2% underwent near-total resection. Of all patients, 79.2% were overall seizure-free at one year, but this number dropped to 77.0% at more than five years. Moreover, 88.4% (129/146) reached gelastic seizure (GS)-free status at one year and this number increased to 89.0% (97/109) at more than five years. Seventy-one patients took antiseizure medication (ASM) long-term, 68 took it for one year, and 11 took it for one-half year. The duration of ASM consumption (p < 0.001) and extent of hypothalamic hamartoma resection (p = 0.016) were significant independent predictors of long-term overall seizure-free survival, while the duration of ASM consumption (p = 0.011) and extent of hypothalamic hamartoma resection (p = 0.026) were significant independent predictors of long-term GS-free survival. Most patients' behavior, school performance, and intelligence were not affected after surgery. Direct resection is effective and safe strategy for patients with hypothalamic hamartomas. Hypothalamic hamartomas should be removed as completely as possible, and patients should take ASM long-term following surgery to reach long-term overall seizure-free or GS-free status.

Infantile Hypothalamic Hamartoma: A Rare Presentation of Isolated Obesity

Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) are rare, benign brain tumors or lesions of the hypothalamus that are predominantly identified in cases of epilepsy and central precocious puberty (CPP), whereas isolated manifestations of infantile obesity are atypical. We herein report an 8-month-old boy with severe obesity (Kaup index 26.4 [>100th percentile]) and uncontrollable hyperphagia. His growth chart demonstrated remarkable weight gain that exceeded the length gain in magnitude. Brain magnetic resonance imaging identified a lesion consistent with HH. There were no episodes or clinical findings of epilepsy, CPP, or Cushing disease. Hypothalamic obesity should be considered in the diagnosis even in infants with excessive weight gain due to overeating.

Brain mosaicism of hedgehog signalling and other cilia genes in hypothalamic hamartoma

Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a rare benign developmental brain lesion commonly associated with a well characterized epilepsy phenotype. Most individuals with HH are non-syndromic without additional developmental anomalies nor a family history of disease. Nonetheless, HH is a feature of Pallister-Hall (PHS) and Oro-Facial-Digital Type VI (OFD VI) syndromes, both characterized by additional developmental anomalies. Initial genetic of analysis HH began with syndromic HH, where germline inherited or de novo variants in GLI3, encoding a central transcription factor in the sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway, were identified in most individuals with PHS. Following these discoveries in syndromic HH, the hypothesis that post-zygotic mosaicism in related genes may underly non-syndromic HH was tested. We discuss the identified mosaic variants within individuals with non-syndromic HH, review the analytical methodologies and diagnostic yields, and explore understanding of the functional role of the implicated genes with respect to Shh signalling, and cilia development and function. We also outline future challenges in studying non-syndromic HH and suggest potential novel strategies to interrogate brain mosaicism in HH.

Clinical Presentation and Management of Hypothalamic Hamartomas: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) are composed of abnormally distributed but cytologically normal cellular elements. This disease typically manifests in infancy with gelastic seizures characterized by outbursts of mechanical laughter (mirthless laughter), altered or retained consciousness, refractory to antiepileptic, and later progresses to behavioral and cognitive disturbances and secondary seizure types. A systematic review of the literature on the clinical presentation and management of HHs. A literature search was carried out in electronic databases such as PubMed, COCHRANE, SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, which included the studies reported on “hypothalamic,” “hamartoma,” and “epilepsy,” as well as the outcome with full texts in English. Letters, case reports, reviews, preclinical studies, conference proceedings, protocols, and nonhuman studies were excluded. Duplicates were removed in EndNote X7, and titles and abstracts of all listed articles were scanned. Data analysis of all included studies indicates that smaller lesions result in better outcomes and stereotactic laser ablative procedures have the highest Engel class I outcome percentage. Delalande type II lesions are much more common (n=201) followed by type III (n = 182), IV (n = 71), and I (n = 50). Stereotactic laser ablation is safe for large lesions. HHs can be treated safely when they are small. Therefore, early identification and intervention play a major role. This also prevents the seizure progression, leading to morbidity. SLA has fewer complications and increased seizure-free survival compared to other modalities of treatment.

Adult-onset hypothalamic hamartoma: origin of epilepsy?

BACKGROUND

Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a congenital non-progressive lesion of hypothalamus during fetal development. Mass-like lesions in different anatomical locations often develop a variously disabling course presenting with cognitive decline, psychiatric symptoms, as well as multiple seizure types. As a rare disease, HH is relatively common in infants and children, but it is extremely rare in adults.

CASE PRESENTATION

We reported a case of adult-onset hypothalamic hamartoma, and summarized and analyzed relevant reports and studies of HH worldwide. The patient had clinical manifestations characterized by multiple seizure forms. After stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation and drug treatment, the condition was effectively controlled. The patient was followed up till October 2022, with no recurrence of seizures.

CONCLUSIONS

Epilepsy caused by HH can resemble that of temporal lobe seizures, as HH forms a complex epileptogenic network with other regions of the brain through anatomical and functional connections. Early treatment of HH can provide better control of the symptoms of epilepsy, and patients with longer disease courses may have more complications.

Stereotactic radiosurgery as the initial management option for small-volume hypothalamic hamartomas with intractable epilepsy: a 35-year institutional experience and systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Young patients with hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) often present with intractable epilepsy. Currently there are no established management guidelines for HH. The authors retrospectively reviewed their single-institution experience to delineate the role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

METHODS

Seven patients with HHs (4 females; median age 13.7 years, range 2.5-25 years) with no prior resection underwent SRS between 1987 and 2022. The clinical history, epilepsy profile, radiographic findings, and neurological outcomes were characterized. HH topographical types were classified according to the Régis classification. Outcome measures included Engel seizure classification, HH response, and the need for additional surgical interventions.

RESULTS

All patients had Engel class IV epilepsy. A Leksell Gamma Knife was used to deliver a median margin dose of 18 Gy (range 16-20 Gy) to a median hamartoma volume of 0.37 cm3 (range 0.20-0.89 cm3). Seizure reduction was confirmed in 6 patients, and 2 patients had regression of their hamartoma. Two patients underwent resection and/or laser interstitial thermal therapy after SRS. At follow-up, 1 patient was seizure free, 4 patients achieved Engel class II, 1 patient had Engel class III, and 1 patient had Engel class IV seizure outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

SRS as the initial management option for HH was associated with a low risk of adverse effects. In this institutional series reviewing small-volume HHs treated with SRS, no adverse radiation effect was detected, and the majority of patients experienced seizure reduction. SRS should be considered as the first-line treatment for seizure control in patients with small-volume HHs.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes in Individuals With Hypothalamic Hamartoma Alone or With Other Potentially Epileptogenic Focal Lesions

BACKGROUND

Hypothalamic hamartoma is a rare condition associated with refractory seizures. It can occur in isolation or with additional epileptogenic lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of additional potentially epileptogenic lesions on surgical outcomes in individuals with hypothalamic hamartoma.

METHODS

We conducted a chart review of 112 patients with hypothalamic hamartoma who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy targeted to the hypothalamic hamartoma. We compared surgical outcomes after at least six months of postoperative follow-up (N = 65) between patients with hypothalamic hamartoma alone and those with hypothalamic hamartoma plus additional potentially epileptogenic lesions.

RESULTS

Sixteen out of 112 (14%) patients had additional epileptogenic lesions, including focal cortical dysplasia, gray matter heterotopia, and polymicrogyria. Ten out of 16 patients with additional lesions and 55 out of 96 patients with hypothalamic hamartoma alone had more than six months of follow-up and are included in the outcome analysis. Mean follow-up in these patients is 21.5 ± 17.3 months (standard deviation, range: 7.3-76.8 months) for patients with hypothalamic hamartoma alone and 16.1 ± 15.0 months (standard deviation, range: 6.6-58.2 months) for those with hypothalamic hamartoma plus additional epileptogenic lesions. Fewer patients with hypothalamic hamartoma plus other lesions had Engel class I/II outcomes than patients with hypothalamic hamartoma alone (5/10 [50%] vs 46/55 [83.6%]; P = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy remains an effective treatment option for patients with hypothalamic hamartoma. However, the outcome of surgical procedures targeted to the hypothalamic hamartoma may be less favorable in patients who have hypothalamic hamartoma coexisting with other potentially epileptogenic focal lesions. Thus, an additional surgical workup is warranted for these patients who have failed surgical treatment of hypothalamic hamartoma.

Bi-allelic SMO variants in hypothalamic hamartoma: a recessive cause of Pallister-Hall syndrome

Pallister-Hall syndrome, typically caused by germline or de novo variants within the GLI3 gene, has key features of hypothalamic hamartoma and polydactyly. Recently, a few similar cases have been described with bi-allelic SMO variants. We describe two siblings born to non-consanguineous unaffected parents presenting with hypothalamic hamartoma, post-axial polydactyly, microcephaly amongst other developmental anomalies. Previous clinical diagnostic exome analysis had excluded a pathogenic variant in GLI3. We performed exome sequencing re-analysis and identified bi-allelic SMO variants including a missense and synonymous variant in both affected siblings. We functionally characterised this synonymous variant showing it induces exon 8 skipping within the SMO transcript. Our results confirm bi-allelic SMO variants as an uncommon cause of Pallister-Hall syndrome and describe a novel exon-skipping mechanism, expanding the molecular architecture of this new clinico-molecular disorder.

Management of Central Precocious Puberty in Children with Hypothalamic Hamartoma

Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a rare, congenital, and benign lesion of the tuber cinereum, typically presenting with central precocious puberty (CPP), gelastic seizure, and developmental delay. This study aimed to investigate CPP in HH patients and compare clinical features between before and after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist treatment. A total of 30 HH patients under 18 years of age who visited Severance Children’s Hospital between January 2005 and May 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Fourteen patients were male (46.7%) and sixteen (53.3%) were female, with a mean age at diagnosis was4.2 ± 2.9 years. During follow-up, 24 patients (80.0%) were diagnosed with CPP, 15 patients (50.0%) had gelastic seizure, and 13 patients (43.3%) had developmental delay. The gelastic seizure was significantly associated with sessile type HH rather than pedunculated type HH (85.7% vs. 18.8%, p = 0.001). After GnRH agonist treatment, discrepancies between bone age and chronological age decreased (3.3 ± 1.3 years to 2.0 ± 1.7 years, p = 0.002). Additionally, height standard deviation score for bone age was increased, and predicted adult height increased significantly in females, while males showed an increasing trend. Clinical symptoms of HH were closely associated with the location of HH, and GnRH agonist treatment was safe and effective in the management of CPP caused by HH.

Description of a giant hypothalamic hamartoma associated with an immature ruptured giant sacrococcygeal teratoma: a case report

Giant hypothalamic hamartomas (GHH) are rare neonatal intracerebral congenital malformations responsible for gelastic epilepsy and/or endocrine disturbances. Sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCT) are fetal neoplasms associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality, especially hemorrhagic complications in giant examples (GSCT). Here, we describe an immature ruptured GSCT complicated by hemorrhagic shock at 32-week gestation boy requiring an emergency delivery, followed immediately by urgent surgical removal. A brain lesion resembling a GHH was also present on the antenatal MRI. In order to exclude metastatic immature teratoma or glioma, a biopsy was performed by a retro-sigmoidal approach, which confirmed the nature of the hamartoma. Here, we describe for the first time the association of a ruptured immature GSCT associated with a GHH.

Emerging indications for stereotactic laser interstitial thermal therapy in pediatric neurosurgery

Surgical treatment of deep or difficult to access lesions represents a unique and significant challenge for pediatric neurosurgeons. The introduction of stereotactic magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) over the last decade has had a dramatic impact on the landscape of pediatric neurosurgery. LITT provides a safe and effective option for children with epilepsy from hypothalamic hamartoma that represents a ground-breaking new therapy for a condition which was historically very difficult to treat with previous neurosurgical techniques. LITT has also been used as an alternative surgical technique for mesial temporal sclerosis, focal cortical dysplasia, MR-negative epilepsy, cavernoma-related epilepsy, insular epilepsy, and corpus callosotomy among other epilepsy etiologies. In some cases, LITT has been associated with improved cognitive outcomes compared to standard techniques, as in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Initial experiences with LITT for neuro-oncologic processes are also promising. LITT is often attractive to patients and providers as a minimally invasive approach, but the differences in safety and clinical outcome between LITT and traditional approaches are still being studied. In this review, we examine the emerging indications and clinical evidence for LITT in pediatric neurosurgery.

A systematic review of stereotactic radiofrequency ablation for hypothalamic hamartomas

BACKGROUND

The seizure activity associated with hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) is refractory to medical management and surgical intervention is often required. Stereotactic Radiofrequency Ablation (SRFA) is a minimally invasive technique offering targeted lesion ablation with a reduced risk of complications.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we review the current literature on the use of SRFA for HHs.

METHODS

This study was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for systematic literature review. A database search of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted in July 2020.

RESULTS

A total of 12 articles were included in this review, showing outcomes for 185 unique patients. Of these patients, 142 (76.8%) experienced some extent of therapeutic benefit in alleviating seizures following SRFA, with 128 (69.2%) patients achieving complete freedom from seizures. Common transient complications included hyponatremia (52 patients, 28.1%), hyperphagia (48 patients, 25.9%), hyperthermia (47 patients, 25.4%), Horner's syndrome (103 patients, 55.7%), and weight gain (75 patients, 40.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

SRFA is a potential therapy for patients with HHs, especially when resection confers significant risk to surrounding structures. Multiple rounds of SRFA treatment may be needed in approximately a quarter of patients to improve gelastic seizure outcomes but may not affect non-gelastic seizures. There is limited data on the use of SRFA for HHs and further case series and clinical trials are needed to establish the use of SRFA for HHs.

Gelastic seizures and the hypothalamic hamartoma syndrome: Epileptogenesis beyond the lesion?

The clinicoradiologic syndrome of hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) manifests with a variety of symptoms, including pharmacoresistant epilepsy with multiple seizure types, precocious puberty, behavioral disturbances, and cognitive impairment. Gelastic seizures are an early marker of epilepsy with HH in most of the cases. Despite a high variability, two major epilepsy phenotypes can be distinguished, based on electroclinical features: (i) focal seizures with epigastric or déjà-vu aura, loss of consciousness, and oroalimentary or gestural automatisms suggestive of temporal lobe involvement; and (ii) motor seizures with tonic, atonic, myoclonic, or versive phenomena, suggesting frontoparietal network involvement, with possible evolution toward an epileptic encephalopathy. The underlying physiopathologic mechanisms are not completely elucidated. The well-known intrinsic epileptogenicity of the HH represents the rationale for direct HH-aiming surgical procedures, with variable success in achieving seizure freedom. The concept of kindling-like secondary epileptogenesis has been suggested as a possible putative mechanism since the very beginnings of the hamartocentric era. Accordingly, a cortical area with enhanced epileptogenic properties due to an independent stage of secondary epileptogenesis would be responsible for seizures persisting after hamartoma ablation. However, recent intracerebral stereotactic EEG (SEEG) explorations demonstrated more complex, both reciprocal and hierarchical, relationships within the hypothalamo-cortical epileptogenic networks. Network formation may be due to either secondary epileptogenesis or widespread epileptogenicity present at the outset. A short time window from epilepsy onset to surgery seems to be crucial to cure epilepsy by direct surgery addressing a hamartoma. SEEG exploration may be reasonably proposed in cases where clinical data suggest an extension of the epileptogenic zone outside the limits of the HH, especially in focal seizures with impaired awareness and absence of gelastic seizures, or after a failure of the direct HH-aiming procedure.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Epilepsy: Systematic Review of Technique, Indications, and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

For patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), surgical resection of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) may offer seizure freedom and benefits for quality of life. Yet, concerns remain regarding invasiveness, morbidity, and neurocognitive side effects. Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) has emerged as a less invasive option for stereotactic ablation rather than resection of the EZ.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an introduction to MRgLITT for epilepsy, including historical development, surgical technique, and role in therapy.

METHODS

The development of MRgLITT is briefly recounted. A systematic review identified reported techniques and indication-specific outcomes of MRgLITT for DRE in human studies regardless of sample size or follow-up duration. Potential advantages and disadvantages compared to available alternatives for each indication are assessed in an unstructured review.

RESULTS

Techniques and outcomes are reported for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, hypothalamic hamartoma, focal cortical dysplasia, nonlesional epilepsy, tuberous sclerosis, periventricular nodular heterotopia, cerebral cavernous malformations, poststroke epilepsy, temporal encephalocele, and corpus callosotomy.

CONCLUSION

MRgLITT offers access to foci virtually anywhere in the brain with minimal disruption of the overlying cortex and white matter, promising fewer neurological side effects and less surgical morbidity and pain. Compared to other ablative techniques, MRgLITT offers immediate, discrete lesions with real-time monitoring of temperature beyond the fiber tip for damage estimates and off-target injury prevention. Applications of MRgLITT for epilepsy are growing rapidly and, although more evidence of safety and efficacy is needed, there are potential advantages for some patients.

Hypothalamic Hamartomas: A Comprehensive Review of Literature - Part 3: Updates on Radiotherapy Management

Hypothalamic hamartomas (HH) are rare, non-neoplastic heterotopic tissues which contains normal neurons and glia including oligodendrocytes and fibrillary astrocytes but in an abnormal distribution. They arise from the floor of the third ventricle, tuber cinereum, or mammillary bodies. Estimated incidence ranges from 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 1,000,000. Hypothalamic hamartomas are associated with different clinical presentations including various types of seizures, most characteristically; the gelastic seizures, precocious puberty, cognitive impairment and behavioral changes. In this review, the authors discuss the recent advancements in different modalities of radiotherapy and their application in hypothalamic hamartomas management.

Hypothalamic Hamartoma, Gray Matter Heterotopia, and Polymicrogyria in a Boy: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) are rare, and it is even rarer when combined with gray matter heterotopia (GMH) and polymicrogyria (PMG).

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 5-year-old boy with HH, GMH, and PMG was retrospectively evaluated. The clinical data, including the symptoms, examinations, diagnosis, and treatment, were collected. The patient had a chief complaint of gelastic seizures and intellectual deficiency. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed HH, paraventricular nodular heterotopia, and PMG. Video electroencephalographs were normal. The patient underwent resection of the HH via transcallosal transseptal interforniceal approach. Seizures disappeared immediately after complete resection of HH, and the intellectual development improved.

CONCLUSIONS

In this extremely rare case, resection of the HH eliminated the symptoms. Nonetheless, we still need to be cautious about the possible epilepsy that may be caused by GMH and PMG.

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor presenting as a hypothalamic hamartoma in a child with gelastic seizures: case report

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNETs) are benign intracranial tumors of neuroglial origin, mostly located in the supratentorial regions and particularly in the temporal lobe. Few cases of DNETs in the hypothalamus have been described. The authors present the case of a DNET in the hypothalamus. The 5-year-old girl with complaints of limb and gelastic seizures was admitted to the neurosurgical department of Xiangya Hospital. Neurological examination findings were unremarkable. MRI showed isointensity without significant enhancement on T1- and T2-weighted images. The lesion exhibited clearly defined borders on the sagittal, coronal, and axial images. The preliminary diagnosis was hypothalamic hamartoma (HH); however, the lesion was surgically removed, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a DNET. Hypothalamic DNETs are extremely rare. Based on their clinical manifestation and imaging, DNETs are easily misdiagnosed as HHs. Diagnoses apart from HHs must be entertained when a hypothalamic lesion is being investigated.

Non-pharmacological Interventions for Intractable Epilepsy

In 30% of epileptic individuals, intractable epilepsy represents a problem for the management of seizures and severely affects the patient's quality of life due to pharmacoresistance with commonly used antiseizure drugs (ASDs). Surgery is not the best option for all resistant patients due to its post-surgical consequences. Therefore, several alternative or complementary therapies have scientifically proven significant therapeutic potential for the management of seizures in intractable epilepsy patients with seizure-free occurrences. Various non-pharmacological interventions include metabolic therapy, brain stimulation therapy, and complementary therapy. Metabolic therapy works out by altering the energy metabolites and include the ketogenic diets (KD) (that is restricted in carbohydrates and mimics the metabolic state of the body as produced during fasting and exerts its antiepileptic effect) and anaplerotic diet (which revives the level of TCA cycle intermediates and this is responsible for its effect). Neuromodulation therapy includes vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), responsive neurostimulation therapy (RNS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy (TMS). Complementary therapies such as biofeedback and music therapy have demonstrated promising results in pharmacoresistant epilepsies. The current emphasis of the review article is to explore the different integrated mechanisms of various treatments for adequate seizure control, and their limitations, and supportive pieces of evidence that show the efficacy and tolerability of these non-pharmacological options.

Transtemporal approach to hypothalamic hamartomas in children: report of 3 cases

The surgical approach to hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) associated with medically refractory epilepsy is challenging because of these lesions' deep midline or paramedian location. Whether the aim is resection or disconnection, the surgical corridor dictates how complete a procedure can be achieved. Here, the authors report a transtemporal approach suitable for Delalande type I, inferior extraventricular component of type III, and type IV lesions. This approach provides optimal visualization of the plane between the hamartoma and the hypothalamus with no manipulation to the pituitary stalk and brainstem, allowing for extensive disconnection while minimizing injury to adjacent neurovascular structures.Through a 1-cm corticectomy in the middle temporal gyrus, a surgical tract is developed under neuronavigational guidance toward the plane of intended disconnection. On reaching the mesial temporal pia-arachnoid margin, it is opened, providing direct visualization of the hamartoma, which is then disconnected or resected as indicated. Critical neurovascular structures are generally not exposed through this approach and are preserved if encountered.Three patients (mean age 4.9 years) with intractable epilepsy were treated using this technique as part of the national Children's Epilepsy Surgery Service. Following resection, the patient in case 1 (Delalande type I) is seizure free off medication at 3 years' follow-up (Engel class IA). The patient in case 2 (Delalande type III) initially underwent partial disconnection through a transcallosal interforniceal approach and at first had significant seizure improvement before the seizures worsened in frequency and type. Complete disconnection of the residual lesion was achieved using the transtemporal approach, rendering this patient seizure free off medication at 14 months postsurgery (Engel class IA). The patient in case 3 (Delalande type IV) underwent incomplete disconnection with a substantial reduction in seizure frequency at 3 years' follow-up (Engel class IIIC). There were no surgical complications in any of the cases.The transtemporal approach is a safe and effective alternative to more conventional surgical approaches in managing HHs with intractable epilepsy.

Neuropsychiatric profile of paediatric hypothalamic hamartoma: systematic review and case series

AIM

To evaluate neuropsychiatric comorbidities in children and adolescents with hypothalamic hamartoma.

METHOD

We retrospectively analysed case notes for all individuals with hypothalamic hamartoma referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, between 2000 and 2016. In addition, a systematic review aiming to identify all previous paediatric case series was performed. Psychiatric symptoms, demographics, physical comorbidities, and cognitive functioning were recorded for all cases where possible. Analyses were performed to determine which factors were associated with psychopathology and potential mechanisms investigated.

RESULTS

Forty-six cases were included in the case series (28 males, 18 females; mean age at assessment 11y 8mo [1y 11mo-16y 11mo, SD 4y 0mo]). Twenty-nine papers representing data from 264 cases met inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Overall, at least 50% of cases presented with psychopathology. Epilepsy, intellectual disability, and male sex were associated with externalizing disorders (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct and oppositional defiance disorders, and rage attacks). Intellectual disability mediated the effects of epilepsy on externalizing psychopathology. No factors were associated with internalizing disorders (anxiety and depressive disorders), although these were not well reported.

INTERPRETATION

Psychiatric comorbidities are highly prevalent in the presentation of paediatric hypothalamic hamartoma. The aetiology of psychopathology comprises a range of interacting biological and psychosocial factors with particular influence from epilepsy. Further research is required to achieve an evidence base for treatment.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Over half of children with hypothalamic hamartoma present with psychiatric comorbidity. Externalizing and internalizing disorders are present in approximately 60% and 30% of children with hypothalamic hamartomas respectively. Epilepsy and male sex are associated with externalizing psychopathology. Intellectual disability mediates the association between epilepsy and externalizing symptoms. No clear associations are evident for internalizing disorders or precocious puberty.

Evolution of pediatric epilepsy surgery program over 2000-2017: Improvement of care?

PURPOSE

We assessed trends in spectrum of candidates, diagnostic algorithm, therapeutic approach and outcome of a pediatric epilepsy surgery program between 2000 and 2017.

METHODS

All pediatric patients who underwent curative epilepsy surgery in Motol Epilepsy Center during selected period (n = 233) were included in the study and divided into two groups according to time of the surgery (developing program 2000-2010: n = 86, established program 2011-2017: n = 147). Differences in presurgical, surgical and outcome variables between the groups were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 264 resections or hemispheric disconnections were performed (including 31 reoperations). In the later epoch median age of candidates decreased. Median duration of disease shortened in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Number of patients with non-localizing MRI findings (subtle or multiple lesions) rose, as well as those with epileptogenic zone adjacent to eloquent cortex. There was a trend towards one-step procedures guided by multimodal neuroimaging and intraoperative electrophysiology; long-term invasive EEG was performed in fewer patients. Subdural electrodes for long-term invasive monitoring were almost completely replaced by stereo-EEG. The number of focal resections and hemispherotomies rose over time. Surgeries were more often regarded complete. Histopathological findings of resected tissue documented developing spectrum of candidates. 82.0% of all children were seizure-free two years after surgery; major complications occurred in 4.6% procedures; both groups did not significantly differ in these parameters.

CONCLUSION

In the established pediatric epilepsy surgery program, our patients underwent epilepsy surgery at younger age and suffered from more complex structural pathology. Outcomes and including complication rate remained stable.

Long-term use of methylphenidate in a boy with hypothalamic tumor, drug-resistant epilepsy and ADHD

•

We report the successful treatment of a boy with hypothalamic tumor, gelastic seizures, drug-resistant epilepsy and ADHD

•

The use of methylphenidate significantly reduced symptoms of ADHD while seizure frequency remained unchanged.