The results of the surgical treatment of occipital lobe epilepsy

Abstract

Out of 502 patients with surgically treated drug-resistant chronic epilepsy (tumour cases excluded) in 12 (2%) a clear occipital focus was found. The pattern of seizures was in most cases nonspecific and polymorphic. EEG examination and neuroradiological findings led to proper localization of the epileptogenic focus. Partial or total occipital lobectomy was performed. Follow-up from 4 to 20 years revealed a satisfactory result in 11 of the surgical cases. One patient was lost to follow-up. Brain scarring was found in the histological examination of specimens in 9 out of 12 patients. The results of the surgical treatment of occipital lobe epilepsy are much better than in other localizations of epileptogenic foci.

Diagnostic Performance of [18F]FDG‐PET and Ictal [99mTc]‐HMPAO SPECT in Occipital Lobe Epilepsy

“…Some intractable OLE has been treated with surgical resection of the epileptogenic zones. Treatment outcome has been similar to that of epilepsy originating from other lobes (5)(6)(7)(8). However, because visual defects could have complicated the surgery in OLE, the surgical treatment of OLE has been done very cautiously and conservatively.…”

Surgical treatment of occipital lobe epilepsy

“…Occipital lobe epilepsy appears to account for ~ 2-13% of extratemporal epilepsies. 5,6,23,40 The literature indicates that there is a strong selection bias in extratemporal epilepsy patient series, depending on referral, inclusion criteria, and consideration of potential surgical candidates.…”

Mirror Focus in a Patient with Intractable Occipital Lobe Epilepsy

“…First, occipital lobe epilepsy is not common neocortical epilepsy. The frequency of occipital lobe epilepsy varies from 2% to 13% of symptomatic partial epilepsies 6,7. Second, the connection between left and right hemispheric homotopic area is not direct in occipital lobes.…”