Surgery for perirolandic epilepsy: Epileptogenic cortex resection guided by chronic intracranial electroencephalography and electric cortical stimulation mapping

SubjectThe objective of this study was to assess outcome with regard to seizure status and neurological function in patients undergoing resective surgery involving the perirolandic area.MethodAll 15 patients who underwent perirolandic cortical resection between October 2006 and September 2007 at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Centre of Beijing Xuanwu Hospital were included in the study. The locations of functional cortical areas, ictal onset zones and epileptogenic lesions were mapped by chronic intracranial EEG recordings and electric cortical stimulation. Seizure outcome was determined using the modified classification of Engel and colleagues. Motor and sensory deficits were monitored.ResultsAt last follow-up 5 patients (33%) were in Engel class I, 4 (27%) were in class II, 3 (20%) were in class III, and 3 (20%) were in class IV. Nine patients suffered immediate functional deficits; 8 of these recovered completely within 2 weeks to 3 months of surgery. One had mild persistent loss of finger motor control.ConclusionAfter accurate presurgical evaluation using invasive recordings and functional brain mapping, epileptogenic cortical resection can give excellent results and few deficits in patients with perirolandic epilepsy.