Precise localization of the epileptogenic foci for surgical treatment of refractory epilepsy with minimal invasion.
OBJECTIVE
To study the surgical approach for the treatment of medically refractory epilepsy.


METHODS
In 338 cases of refractory epilepsy, precise localization of the epileptogenic focus was achieved with the help of three-dimensional epileptogenic focus localization and treatment planning systems also assisted by imaging modalities before and during the operation. The foci were resected and the conduction fibers were treated with minimum damage methods of surgical treatment of epilepsy.


RESULTS
Preoperative focus localization was verified by detection with 64-channel ECoG and 8-channel depth electrodes during the operation, and the imaging modalities proved helpful to the diagnosis and subsequent treatment planning. The follow-up of the patients lasting for 1 to 4 years postoperatively found a total efficacy rate of 98.1%, and up to 74.8% of the cases obtained class I to III therapeutic effects, with satisfactory nerve function preservation and no obvious sequela.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional focus localization and treatment planning system in conjunction with the imaging modalities yields precise epileptogenic focus localization, and the surgical approach we adopted is safety and effective for treating refractory epilepsy with minimal invasion.
Zhang
Xin-wei
XW
Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China.
Xu
Ru-xiang
RX
Ke
Yi-quan
YQ
Zhou
Gu-lan
GL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures