Epilepsy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Epilepsy, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, drugs, information.

Factors influencing surgical outcome in patients with focal cortical dysplasia.

Fauser S, Bast T, Altenmüller DM, Schulte-Mönting J, Strobl K, Steinhoff BJ, Zentner J, Schulze-Bonhage A

Epilepsy Centre, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str 64, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. susanne.fauser@uniklinik-freiburg.de

A total of 120 patients with histologically proven focal cortical dysplasias (FCD) were retrospectively analysed for prognostic factors for successful epilepsy surgery. Multivariate data analyses showed that older age at epilepsy surgery, occurrence of secondarily generalised seizures and a multilobar extent of the dysplasia were significant negative predictors. In univariate analyses, longer duration of epilepsy, need for intracranial EEG recordings and incomplete resection of the FCD were factors which significantly reduced the chance of becoming seizure free. Histological subtype of the FCD and age at epilepsy onset had no significant predictive value. These findings strongly suggest early consideration of epilepsy surgery in FCD patients.

Published 14 December 2007 in J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 79(1): 103-5.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Epilepsy Research Today. All Rights Reserved.