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Pur DR, Sivakumar GK, Bursztyn LLCD, Iordanous Y, de Ribaupierre S. Strabismus outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing disconnective hemispheric surgery for intractable epilepsy: a systematic review. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2023:S0008-4182(23)00244-2. [PMID: 37640228 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2023.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children undergoing hemispheric surgery for intractable seizures are susceptible to visual complications including strabismus. This systematic review aims to investigate the rates and characteristics of strabismus development after hemispheric surgery and evaluate clinical implications for ophthalmologic care. METHODS A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsychINFO, and Web of Science databases was performed from database inception to May 2022. Included articles referred to strabismus outcomes in pediatric populations after hemispherectomy or hemispherotomy. Reviews and non-English-language publications were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Demographic data and characteristics of strabismus were extracted and tabulated. RESULTS Of 41 articles identified, 10 studies consisting of 384 pediatric participants (48% females) and age at surgery between 6 months and 16 years were included. Preoperative strabismus rates ranged between 3% and 56%, whereas postoperative rates ranged between 38% and 100%. With respect to the site of hemispheric surgery, contralateral exodeviation was the most common (16%-67%; n = 7) and then ipsilateral exodeviation (16%-56%; n = 2), whereas ipsilateral esodeviation was infrequent (4%-9%; n = 3). CONCLUSIONS Contralateral exotropia and ipsilateral esotropia may occur after hemispheric surgery and may have the potential to be field expanding. Concerns regarding negative social reactions should be balanced with the risk of visual field reduction and (or) diplopia by strabismus surgery. Higher-quality articles with large, homogeneous, and well-described populations (i.e., complete pre- and postoperative ophthalmologic assessments) are required to establish the risks and rates of strabismus development after hemispheric surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiana R Pur
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON.
| | - Gayathri K Sivakumar
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON
| | - Lulu L C D Bursztyn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Western University, London, ON
| | - Yiannis Iordanous
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON
| | - Sandrine de Ribaupierre
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Western University, London, ON; Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON; Children's Health Research Institute, Western University, London, ON
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Ko PY, Barry D, Shurtleff H, Hauptman JS, Marashly A. Prognostic Value of Preoperative and Postoperative Electroencephalography Findings in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Hemispheric Epilepsy Surgery. World Neurosurg 2022; 167:e1154-e1162. [PMID: 36084916 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.08.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The seizure outcomes after hemispheric epilepsy surgery have been excellent, with 54%-90% of patients achieving long-term freedom from seizures. Similarly, the neuropsychological outcomes have been favorable. The prognostic value of pre- and postoperative electroencephalography (EEG) has not been well-studied. In the present study, we characterized the value of the pre- and postoperative EEG findings for predicting the seizure and neuropsychological outcomes for pediatric patients undergoing hemispherectomy. METHODS A total of 22 children who had undergone functional hemispherectomy at our institution from 2010 to 2020 were included. The ictal and interictal findings were categorized as ipsilateral to the operated hemisphere, independently arising from the contralateral hemisphere, and/or generalized. The seizure outcomes were classified using the Engel scale. All neuropsychological evaluations were performed in accordance with our institution's protocol. The relationship between the EEG findings and outcomes was analyzed. RESULTS Of the 22 patients, 19 (86%) were seizure free (Engel class IA) at the latest follow-up (mean, 4.2 years). On the preoperative EEGs, 9 had had seizures, all had had ipsilateral interictal discharges, and 9 had had contralateral interictal discharges. On the postoperative EEGs, obtained a median of 1 year after surgery, 3 had had seizures, 16 had had ipsilateral interictal discharges, and 5 had had contralateral interictal discharges. Of the 3 patients with seizures found on the postoperative EEG, all were clinically free of seizures. The patients who had not achieved Engel class IA were not significantly more likely to have abnormalities found on the EEG. The neuropsychological scores were stable from before to after surgery, with no evidence of EEG abnormalities having predictive value. CONCLUSIONS The seizure and neuropsychology outcomes after hemispherectomy were excellent in our study, with 86% of our cohort achieving freedom from seizures. The presence, lateralization, and evolution of pre- and postoperative EEG abnormalities were not predictive of the outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Yi Ko
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
| | - Dwight Barry
- Department of Clinical Analytics, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hillary Shurtleff
- Neurosciences Institute, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA; Center for Integrated Brain Research, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jason Scott Hauptman
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ahmad Marashly
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Liu D, Yuguang G, Zhou J, Zhai F, Chen L, Li T, Wang M, Luan G. The influencing factors and changes of cognitive function within 40 Rasmussen encephalitis patients that received a hemispherectomy. Neurol Res 2022; 44:700-707. [PMID: 35172696 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2022.2039526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influencing factors and cognitive functional changes in Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) patients who received a hemispherectomy. METHODS Forty RE patients underwent a hemispherectomy with at least a 2 years follow- up were included in this study . Postoperative seizure outcomes were evaluated according to the Engle classification scale. Univariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model in a backward fashion were used to identify the potential predictors of cognitive function. RESULTS All 40 patients had an Engle classification outcome at a 2 years follow-up. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that seizure duration (OR 10.06, 95% CI 1.54-3.85, p = 0.038), age at surgery (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.21-3.56, p = 0.043), and MRI score (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.67 p = 0.024) are associated with postoperative cognitive outcomes respectively. Moreover, VIQ and PIQ were negatively correlated linearly with duration of seizures and MRI score. Patients with a good VIQ and PIQ before the operation were more likely to have a better VIQ and PIQ postoperatively (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). And, operation side is an important factor affecting cognitive function; therefore, a left hemispherectomy has a greater impact on the patient's IQ and language. CONCLUSIONS RE patients' cognitive dysfunctions are improved after a hemispherectomy. Right-side operation can achieve better postoperative cognitive outcomes especially in VIQ and language. A shorter duration of seizures, early age at surgery, and less severe brain atrophy suggest better cognitive outcomes after a hemispherectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Liu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Guan Yuguang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Zhai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingling Chen
- Department of Neurology, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianfu Li
- Department of Neurology, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy, Beijing, China.,Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Mengyang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Guoming Luan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy, Beijing, China.,Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
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4
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Meer EA, Chen MF, Jones M, Mathern GW, Pineles SL. Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes of Visual Field Defects and Compensatory Mechanisms in Patients After Cerebral Hemispherectomy. J Neuroophthalmol 2021; 41:147-153. [PMID: 32701758 DOI: 10.1097/wno.0000000000000998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In cases of intractable epilepsy resistant to drug therapy, hemispherectomy is often the only treatment option to mitigate seizures; however, the true long-term subjective visual outcomes are relatively unexplored. In this study, we sought to determine and characterize patient-reported visual function years after hemispherectomy. METHODS This was an observational study conducted on a large cohort of children with seizure disorder treated with cerebral hemispherectomy. An online survey was sent to parents with questions to assess subjective visual function with a variety of questions from presence of visual field defects after hemispherectomy, to improvement over time, compensatory mechanisms used, and development of strabismus. RESULTS This survey was emailed to 248 parents of previously evaluated children who agreed to be re-surveyed, 48 (20%) of which responded. The average age at hemispherectomy was approximately 5 (±4) years, and the average time after hemispherectomy was 7 (±5) years. Thirty-nine patients (81%) were seizure-free after 1 surgery and 85% (n = 41) were seizure-free after ≥1 surgeries. Thirty-four (71%) experienced a visual field defect after surgery, but 25 (52%) experienced subjective improvement over time. Thirty-eight (79%) used compensatory mechanisms, such as head tilting, with 16 (33%) patients experiencing subjective improvement over time. Twenty-seven (56%) patients experienced a decrease in visual acuity after surgery with 12 (25%) experiencing subjective improvement over time. CONCLUSION In a large cohort examining patient-reported visual outcomes years after hemispherectomy, most patients experienced strabismus and/or visual field defects. However, more than half reported improvements and compensatory mechanisms (exotropic strabismus and ipsilateral esotropic strabismus) over time, presumably to enhance visual field function. By exploring subjective visual and cognitive function, this paper uniquely characterizes patient-reported improvements over time, and provides motivation for larger longitudinal studies using more quantitative measures of visual function and improvement after hemispherectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elana A Meer
- Perelman School of Medicine (EAM), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine (MFC), Los Angeles, California; CEO (MJ), Brain Recovery Project Childhood Epilepsy Surgery Foundation, Los Angeles, California; Brain Research Institute (GWM), University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California; Neurological Surgery and Pediatric Neurological Surgery (GWM), Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; and Department of Ophthalmology (SLP), Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, California
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5
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Nahum AS, Liégeois FJ. Language after childhood hemispherectomy: A systematic review. Neurology 2020; 95:1043-1056. [PMID: 33087498 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000011073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct a systematic review on language outcomes after left and right hemispherectomy in childhood, a surgical procedure that involves removing or disconnecting a cerebral hemisphere. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycInfo for articles published between January 1, 1988, and May 16, 2019. We included (1) all types of observational studies; (2) studies in which hemispherectomy was performed before age 18 years; and (3) studies with standardized scores measuring receptive vocabulary, expressive vocabulary, sentence comprehension, and/or sentence production. We calculated mean z scores after left and right hemispherectomy in the whole group and within etiology-specific subgroups. RESULTS Our search identified 1,096 studies, of which 17 were eligible. The cohort added up to 205 individuals (62% left hemispherectomy) assessed 1 to 15 years after surgery. In the left surgery group, all language skills were impaired (z scores <-1.5) except sentence comprehension. In the right surgery group, language performance was in the borderline range (z scores ∼ -1.5). Children with cortical dysplasia showed the worst outcomes irrespective of surgery side (z scores <-2.5). Individuals with left vascular etiology and right-sided Rasmussen syndrome showed the best outcomes. CONCLUSION Evidence based on the largest patient cohort to date (205 participants) suggests that the risk of language impairment after hemispherectomy is high, with few exceptions. Etiology plays a major role in postsurgical plasticity. We recommend specialist evaluation of language skills soon after surgery to identify intervention targets. Large-scale studies examining outcomes in consecutive cases are still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea S Nahum
- From the Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychiatry Section (A.S.N., F.J.L.), UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health; and UCL Medical School (A.S.N.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Frédérique J Liégeois
- From the Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychiatry Section (A.S.N., F.J.L.), UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health; and UCL Medical School (A.S.N.), University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Bellamkonda N, Phillips HW, Chen JS, Tucker AM, Maniquis C, Mathern GW, Fallah A. Epilepsy surgery for Rasmussen encephalitis: the UCLA experience. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2020; 26:389-397. [PMID: 32679562 DOI: 10.3171/2020.4.peds2098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare inflammatory neurological disorder typically involving one hemisphere and resulting in drug-resistant epilepsy and progressive neurological decline. Here, the authors present seizure outcomes in children who underwent epilepsy surgery for RE at a single institution. METHODS The records of consecutive patients who had undergone epilepsy surgery for RE at the UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital between 1982 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Basic demographic information, seizure history, procedural notes, and postoperative seizure and functional outcome data were analyzed. RESULTS The cohort included 44 patients, 41 of whom had sufficient data for analysis. Seizure freedom was achieved in 68%, 48%, and 22% of the patients at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The median time to the first seizure for those who experienced seizure recurrence after surgery was 39 weeks (IQR 11-355 weeks). Anatomical hemispherectomy, as compared to functional hemispherectomy, was independently associated with a longer time to postoperative seizure recurrence (HR 0.078, p = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative seizure recurrence between patients with complete hemispherectomy and those who had less-than-hemispheric surgery. Following surgery, 68% of the patients could ambulate and 84% could speak regardless of operative intervention. CONCLUSIONS A large proportion of RE patients will have seizure relapse after surgery, though patients with anatomical hemispherectomies may have a longer time to postoperative seizure recurrence. Overall, the long-term data in this study suggest that hemispheric surgery can be seen as palliative treatment for seizures rather than a cure for RE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jia-Shu Chen
- Departments of1Neurosurgery.,4Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; and
| | - Alexander M Tucker
- 5Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Gary W Mathern
- Departments of1Neurosurgery.,3Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Aria Fallah
- Departments of1Neurosurgery.,2Pediatrics, and
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7
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Chen MF, Meer E, Velez FG, Jones M, Mathern GW, Pineles SL. Etiology and Age Modifies Subjective Visual Function After Cerebral Hemispherectomy. J Child Neurol 2019; 34:446-451. [PMID: 30957613 DOI: 10.1177/0883073819834430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral hemispherectomy is typically used to treat patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Visual-related outcomes are relatively unstudied in this population, aside from the knowledge that patients develop a complete homonymous hemianopia contralateral to the side of the hemispherectomy. The purpose of this study was to determine and characterize parent-reported functional visual, oculomotor, and postural changes in a large population of patients following cerebral hemispherectomy. METHODS An online survey was sent to parents of children who had undergone hemispherectomy for seizure control. Families were recruited by the Brain Recovery Project: Childhood Epilepsy Surgery Foundation. Parent-reported subjective visual function was assessed by the presence of peripheral field defects, ocular misalignment and anomalous head posture. RESULTS A total of 196 (12.5%) participants responded. Postoperative follow-up was 92±78 months (range: 1-382). Ninety-three percent of parents reported the child had difficulties with peripheral vision. Torticollis was present postoperatively in 122 (62%) patients. Strabismus was noted in 93 (49%). Fifty-five (59%) of the strabismus patients demonstrated exotropia with the majority of exotropia patients demonstrating the exo-deviated eye in the direction contralateral to the hemispherectomy (74.5%). Both torticollis and strabismus were most frequently seen immediately after surgery. Sixty-six patients (34%) underwent strabismus treatment. Patients with younger age of seizure onset, younger age of surgery, and certain epilepsy etiologies (hemimegencephaly, Sturge-Weber syndrome) were more likely to develop strabismus and torticollis. CONCLUSIONS Torticollis and strabismus are common after hemispherectomy and appear to be influenced by etiology and age at surgery. Preoperative discussion with parents and patients regarding those compensatory mechanisms is recommended, and postoperative ophthalmologic assessments are also encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica F Chen
- 1 Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elana Meer
- 1 Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Federico G Velez
- 1 Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,3 Olive View UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, CA, USA
| | - Monika Jones
- 4 The Brain Recovery Project: Childhood Epilepsy Surgery Foundation, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Gary W Mathern
- 5 Departments of Neurosurgery and Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stacy L Pineles
- 1 Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Maragkos GA, Geropoulos G, Kechagias K, Ziogas IA, Mylonas KS. Quality of Life After Epilepsy Surgery in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Neurosurgery 2018; 85:741-749. [DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyy471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Pediatric epilepsy surgery is a treatment modality appropriate for select patients with debilitating medication-resistant seizures. Previous publications have studied seizure freedom as the main outcome of epilepsy surgery. However, there has been no systematic assessment of the postoperative life quality for these children.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the quality of life (QOL) long-term outcomes after surgery for intractable epilepsy in pediatric patients.
METHODS
A systematic search of the PubMed and Cochrane databases was performed. Studies reporting questionnaire-assessed QOL at least 12 months postoperatively were included. QOL means and standard deviations were compared between surgically and medically managed patients, between the preoperative and postoperative state of each patient, and were further stratified into patients achieving seizure freedom, and those who did not. Meta-analysis was performed using fixed effects models for weighted mean differences (WMD), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and sensitivity analyses. Funnel plots and Begg's tests were utilized to detect publication bias.
RESULTS
The search yielded 18 retrospective studies, reporting 890 surgical patients. Following epilepsy surgery, children had significant QOL improvement compared to their preoperative state (WMD: 16.71, 95% CI: 12.19-21.22, P < .001) and better QOL than matched medically treated controls (WMD: 12.42, 95% CI: 6.25-18.58, P < .001). Patients achieving total seizure freedom after surgery had significant postoperative QOL improvement (WMD: 16.12, 95% CI: 7.98-24.25, P < .001), but patients not achieving seizure freedom did not achieve statistical significance (P = .79).
CONCLUSION
Epilepsy surgery can effectively improve QOL in children with medication-resistant seizures, through seizure freedom, which was associated with the greatest improvement in life quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios A Maragkos
- Neurosurgery Service, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Georgios Geropoulos
- Pediatric Surgery Working Group, Society of Junior Doctors, Athens, Greece
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Ioannis A Ziogas
- Pediatric Surgery Working Group, Society of Junior Doctors, Athens, Greece
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Yang CY, Chen HH, Chen C, Chiu JW, Chou CL, Yang TF. Pattern of Corticospinal Projections Defined by Brain Mapping During Resective Epilepsy Surgery in a Patient with Congenital Hemiparesis and Intractable Epilepsy. World Neurosurg 2017; 107:1050.e9-1050.e12. [PMID: 28842233 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2017.08.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital or early-onset brain structural lesions often cause contralateral hemiparesis, cognitive deficits, developmental delays, and seizures. Seizure is the most debilitating condition, as it greatly impairs quality of life in both the affected individuals and their caregivers and prevents them from active social participation. CASE DESCRIPTION A 34-year-old man with hemiparesis and early-onset seizures since childhood owing to a congenital brain lesion developed intractable seizures in the last 2 years and was subsequently admitted for resective epileptic surgery. During the operation, we employed an innovative intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring technique. In contrast to routine application for transcranial stimulation, we recorded compound muscle action potentials over the bilateral limb muscles simultaneously, instead of over the contralateral muscles only, to determine the patterns of the corticospinal projections. Transcranial stimulation over the bilateral hemispheres was applied before craniotomy, and direct cortical stimulation over the lesioned hemisphere was applied after craniotomy. By integrating both approaches, we could first identify the pattern of corticospinal projections before craniotomy and then accurately define the noneloquent area, which guided the resection to successfully accomplish the surgical goal. CONCLUSIONS This technique is simple because no patient participation is required. We believe that it has the potential to replace conventional preoperative functional magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation in resective epilepsy surgery, particularly for young patients. Not only can it improve the safety of surgical procedures, but also it can help predict functional outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Ya Yang
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hung Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jan-Wei Chiu
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Liang Chou
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsui-Fen Yang
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Departments of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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