Follow-up of stereotaxic amygdalotomy for seizure and behavior disorders.
Stereotaxic amygdalotomy for the control of unmanageable behavior and/or intractable seizures is a controversial treatment approach with unknown risk-to-benefit ratios. Information about this subject was obtained from a retrospective follow-up study of 58 patients who received this form of treatment 1 to 11 years earlier (average 6 years). Assessments of the patients were made by invesgators external to the surgical treatment system, using structured psychiatric interviews, neuropsychological tests, and EEGs. In addition, global assessments were made, comparing pre- versus postoperative status. The objective data revealed no indication of worsening or damage with similar pre- and postoperative test scores and EEG features. Computer-scored interviews revealed considerable psychopathology in the ambulatory patients. Overall judgments of behavior, seizures, and functional levels indicated that more than a third of the group was probably improved, although the relationship of outcome to the surgery was indeterminate.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression; D000679:Amygdala / Q000601:surgery*; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques