Naming outcomes of anterior temporal lobectomy in epilepsy patients: A systematic review of the literature

► Significant declines in visual naming were reported in 19 of 21 articles reviewed. ► Category-specific declines in naming living stimuli, or famous faces are noted. ► Average decline on Boston Naming Test of 5.8 exceeds the RCI. ► There are no reports of significant deficits in auditory naming following ATL. ► Absence of hippocampal sclerosis and late onset epilepsy strongly predict decline.