title: [Rasmussen syndrome--indications for surgical treatment of refractory epilepsy: report of two cases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Presentation of two cases of children with Rasmussen's encephalitis, treated by functional hemispherectomy. Two boys aged 4 and 6, with a typical clinical course, typical findings in CT and MRI scans and characteristic pathologic changes in brain specimens. In both cases was performed functional hemispherectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immediate cessation of seizures in the immediate postoperative period (Engel class I and II). Later, in a 4-months' follow-up period, a worthwhile improvement in psychomotor development and social functioning was noted. Up-to date opinions published in available literature, related to pathogenesis and treatment modalities of Rasmussen's encephalitis are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1) Rasmussen's encephalitis is a definite nosologic entity, leading to drug-resistant epilepsy and a progressive psychomotor deterioration; 2) functional hemispherectomy is a viable alternative, which should be considered in the treatment of Rasmussen's encephalitis; 3) Functional; hemispherectomy, in spite of it's aggressiveness, is a relatively safe procedure; 4) in the follow-up time of 4 months, the results are promising.
authors.affiliation: Kliniki Neurochirurgii, Instytutu "Pomnik-Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka".
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Daszkiewicz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dabrowski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bachański
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grajkowska
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome