title: Hypothalamic hamartomas causing gelastic epilepsy: two cases and a review of the literature.
abstract: Two cases of hypothalamic hamartomas causing gelastic epilepsy are described. The clinical presentations and the radiological features are presented, and the mechanisms involved in laughing attacks are discussed. The literature is reviewed and it is suggested the complete extirpation of the hamartomas is the treatment of choice in gelastic epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Newcastle General Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Georgakoulias
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vize
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Singounas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000473:pathology; D007845:Laughter / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male