Surgical treatment of intractable seizures with multilobar or bihemispheric seizure foci (MLBHSF)

Patients with refractory epilepsy treated using a modified multiple subpial transection technique

BACKGROUND

: Multiple subpial transection (MST) is a potential surgical treatment for patients with epileptogenic foci located in cortical areas with higher functions. As neurosurgical teams have become more experienced with MST, the original technique has adapted.

OBJECTIVE

: To report our 6-year experience with a modified MST technique.

METHODS

: The population included 62 consecutive patients with medically refractory epilepsy treated by MST, with a follow-up period ranging from 2 to 9 years. MST was performed on gyri under neuronavigation and guided by intraoperative electrocorticography. We performed radiating MST from a single cortical entry point. The MST technique was described according to the number of transections performed and the Brodmann areas (BAs) involved. Any MST-related complications were registered and followed up. Clinical outcome was described in terms of seizure suppression or reduction according to the Engel modified classification.

RESULTS

: Twelve patients underwent MST alone (MSTa), and 50 had MST with another procedure. The main MST sites were BA 4 (61%) and 3, 1, 2 (58%); in 22% of cases, MST was performed in BA 44, 22, 39, and 40. Permanent neurological deficits were observed in 4 (6.4%) patients; 2 minor deficits were MST related (3.2%). A reduction in the seizure rate of at least 50% was seen in 79% of patients (MSTa group, 75%), and 42% became seizure free (MSTa group, 33%).

CONCLUSION

: This study demonstrates the efficacy and low morbidity of radiating MST performed under neuronavigation and intraoperative electrocorticography.

ABBREVIATIONS

: BA, Brodmann areaEEG, electroencephalogramFDG, 18-fluorodeoxyglucoseioECoG, intraoperative electrocorticographyMRE, medically refractory epilepsyMST, multiple subpial transectionMSTa, multiple subpial transection aloneMST+, multiple subpial transection with other procedures.

Pediatric intractable epilepsy syndromes: reason for early surgical intervention

Drug-resistance in several childhood epilepsy syndromes is common, and these patients may tolerate epilepsy surgery. In this study, the surgical outcomes of 24 pediatric patients with various intractable epilepsy syndromes and three patients with tuberous sclerosis were examined at Xinqiao hospital between 1997 and 2004. The study included nine cases of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, two cases of Rasmussen's syndrome, one case of Sturge-Weber syndrome, three cases of West syndrome, three cases of tuberous sclerosis and nine cases of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy syndrome. In each case, different surgical procedures were performed according to preoperative evaluation and ECoG. At an average of 4.5 years after surgery, 14 out of 27 patients (51.9%) had an Engel Class I outcome after surgery, and an additional eight patients (29.6%) had rare seizure (Engel ClassII). Three patients showed a significant decrease in seizure frequency (Engel Class III). The mean IQ increased from 61.4+/-12.2 to 75.0+/-11.0, and greater IQ increase was seen in patients with shorter seizure history and drug-resistance. Temporary complications were observed in four patients and there were no deaths. In conclusion, early surgical intervention in pediatric intractable epilepsy syndromes may results in a favorable outcome in a high percentage of cases and may provides an important opportunity to prevent irreversible decline in intelligence and disability.

Multiple subpial transections in pediatric epilepsy: indications and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Multiple subpial transection (MST) is a surgical technique mainly used when epileptiform activity arises from eloquent or functional brain cortex. In the medical literature, there are relatively few studies reporting the efficacy and safety of this procedure in adults and in children. We review the scientific rationale, the indications, and the results of this procedure.

METHODS

Neuroanatomic studies show that the basic functional cortical unit is arranged vertically, and epileptic activity spreads horizontally. Minimal cortical unit is essential for maintenance of cortical activity. Vertical incisions in the cortex interrupt transverse synaptic connections, preventing seizure propagation while preserving the vertical column subserving neuronal function. In the past, it has been difficult to assess the efficacy of MSTs per se, as they have usually been performed together with cortical resection or lesionectomy. After MSTs, studies show that 33-46% of treated children are in Engel class I or II. The permanent complication rate is low with no permanent language or motor disabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

MST is a safe procedure with unclear specific efficacy. It has been used mainly in conjunction with cortical resection or lesionectomy, when the eloquent cortex is involved in the seizure activity. Further prospective studies are needed to define the role of MST in epilepsy surgery.

Multiple subpial transections: outcome and complications in 20 patients who did not undergo resection

OBJECT

The authors describe patient characteristics, surgical methods, complications, and outcome over time in a cohort of patients who underwent multiple subpial transection (MST) without concomitant cortical resection.

METHODS

Twenty consecutive patients in whom drug-resistant epilepsy had been diagnosed a mean of 16 +/- 9 years earlier (mean +/- standard deviation [SD]) were treated with MST without cortical resection. The mean follow-up period was 49.3 +/- 18.3 months (mean +/- SD, median 58 months). At 12 months of follow up, two of the 20 patients were Engel Class I, one was Class II, six were Class III, and 11 were Class IV. At latest follow up, one patient was Engel Class I, one was Class II, seven were Class III, and 11 were Class IV. According to an alternative five-tiered classification system, two outcomes were excellent, seven were good, one was fair, nine were poor, and one was worse. Outcome was found to be better in patients with no lesions observed on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and worse in those with large MST areas. Outcome had a tendency to change (this occurred in 13 of 20 cases). Five patients (25%) improved and seven (35%) deteriorated in Engel outcome class, and in one (5%) both developments occurred over time. Most outcome class changes occurred before the end of the 2nd year (nine), and four were observed in the 5th year. There where seven transient neurological deficits and four surgical complications. There was no permanent significant morbidity, and there were no deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Forty-five percent of patients achieved a worthwhile improvement after pure MST, if Engel outcome Class III is deemed a worthwhile improvement. The alternative five-tiered classification resulted in 50% with worthwhile improvement (excellent, good, or fair outcome), 45% with poor, and 5% with worse outcome. Lesions that are detectable on MR imaging, and large MST areas are predictive of worse results. Significant intraoperative problems may arise, but this happens infrequently. There is a notable rate of transient morbidity but the rate of permanent morbidity is not significant.

Surgical treatment of epilepsy

Approximately 30-40% of patients with focal epilepsy continue to have seizures despite appropriate medical therapy. Surgical treatments should be considered in this important subset of patients. Recent advances in neuroimaging technology have revolutionized the identification and evaluation of surgical candidates. The goal of the presurgical evaluation (video EEG monitoring, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological assessment) is to delineate the epileptogenic zone. Surgery is recommended when this has been adequately identified and the proposed procedure is expected to result in a high likelihood of seizure freedom and a low risk of neurologic and cognitive morbidity.

Recent advances in candidate selection for pediatric epilepsy surgery

Many patients who were once considered inoperable are candidates for a wide variety of surgical procedures. This trend is particularly striking at pediatric centers that serve patients with diverse forms of epilepsy that compromise development. Newer diagnostic techniques, including structural and functional imaging, EEG monitoring, and surgical technology, can provide a complete representation of the etiology and expression of the epileptic focus, including accurate cortical localization. This review focuses on several forms of epilepsy that, until recently, were not regarded to be surgically amenable. The adverse seizure and neurobehavioral prognosis in patients with these disorders provides the justification to search for innovative treatments. With more sophisticated tools for preoperative evaluation and an expanding knowledge base, it is likely that the number of surgical candidates will continue to increase in the future.