Focal resection for malignant partial seizures in infancy Article

Duchowny, MS, Resnick, TJ, Alvarez, LA et al. (1990). Focal resection for malignant partial seizures in infancy . NEUROLOGY, 40(6), 980-984. 10.1212/wnl.40.6.980

cited authors

  • Duchowny, MS; Resnick, TJ; Alvarez, LA; Morrison, G

authors

abstract

  • There is little experience with excisional surgery for drug-resistant partial seizures in very young patients. We describe our experience with 5 infants under 1 year of age with malignant partial seizures and deteriorating developmental status. All were experiencing frequent daily seizures that did not respond to lst-line antiepileptic medications at high therapeutic serum levels and considerable medication toxicity. Three infants had complete resection of epileptic tissue (frontal corticectomy and prefrontal lobectomy) and are seizure-free. Two underwent partial resection (lateral temporal lobectomy, frontal corticectomy with anterior callosotomy) and have experienced a significant reduction in seizure frequency. Surgery did not result in any significant neurologic deficit or lead to compromise of developmental status. From these data, we tentatively conclude that excisional surgery can be performed safely in selected infants with medically uncontrolled malignant partial seizures and may significantly improve long-term seizure status. Referral to a tertiary center specializing in early childhood epilepsy surgical evaluation may be considered in these circumstances. © 1990 American Academy of Neurology.

publication date

  • January 1, 1990

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 980

end page

  • 984

volume

  • 40

issue

  • 6