title: [Destruction of Forel's field in the surgical treatment of epilepsy. Preliminary report].
abstract: Stereoencephalotomy remains often the only therapeutic method in severe cases of drug-resistant epilepsy in which it is not possible to use the classic resection methods. In the light of literature data we chose Forel's field as the site for producing stereotaxic lesions since it is the most strategically situated site in the pathways of propagation of epileptic seizures.
  
  
  METHODS
  we used Leksell's stereotaxic apparatus for the operations. The contrast medium for filling the ventricular system was Dimer X. The parameters used in accordance with Jinnnai were calculated from the intercommissural line. The clinical and electrophysiological features of these cases are reported. Eleven patients were operated upon who could not be qualified for other surgical treatment methods because of generalized EEG changes. The main criterion accepted for qualification of patients by us were frequent seizures (at least 1 daily) despite systematic treatment conducted under control of serum drug levels. The indication for selecting the side of the operation was preponderance of EEG changes or presence of any lateralizing signs in the seizures. The duration of follow-up sufficient for evaluating the effectiveness of the operation was obtained in 7 patients. The following results were achieved: very good in 1 case, good in 3, improvement in 2 and poor in 1. In the light of these preliminary observations we consider that unilateral destruction of Forel's field is an operation indicated in severe generalized seizures, especially in the primary generalized form.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D013788:Thalamus / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors
vernacular_title: Niszczenie pola Forela w operacyjnym leczeniu padaczki. Doniesienie wstepne.