The presence of polyglucosan bodies in temporal lobe epilepsy: its role and significance.
BACKGROUND
Mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) is an important pathology in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and often associated with good surgical outcome, however prognostic factors for surgical outcome are conflicting. The authors examine seizure outcome after surgery for TLE due to MTS, with focus on the presence of polyglucosan bodies (PGBs), and its relation to the epileptogenic process.


METHODS
Records of 44 consecutive patients with intractable TLE who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) at JFK medical center between 1994-2001 were reviewed. Details of clinical, electrophysiological evaluation, and outcome were collected. All slides were reviewed for the presence of MTS. In twenty-one patients with MTS, detailed histology of surgical specimens was reviewed and relative concentration of PGBs was assessed. The postoperative follow-up duration ranges between 28-74 months. Surgical outcome was evaluated according to Engel's classification.


RESULTS
Data of fourteen females (mean age 32.8 years) and 7 males (mean age 34.2) were analyzed. PBGs were identified in 10 patients (8 females and 2 males). All 10 patients had good surgical outcome, with 6 patients (60%) being seizure free (class 1) and 4 patients as class 2. While 11 patients (6 males and 5 females) with absent PGB, 72.8% had good surgical outcome. Of these, 7 (63.8%) had class 1, 1 patient had class 2, and 3 patients had class 3&4. Assessing several risk factors, the only significant difference between the two groups was epilepsy duration, which was significantly longer in patients with PGBs (P = 0.011).


CONCLUSIONS
The histological presence of PGB is associated with long duration of epilepsy and could be the consequence of epilepsy. Despite prolonged duration of epilepsy, the surgical outcome in PGBs +ve is similar to PGBs -ve patients.
Abubakr
Abuhuziefa
A
New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, Seton Hall University for Graduate Medical Education. 65 James Street Edison New Jersey 08818, USA. aabubakr@solarishs.org
Wambacq
Ilse
I
Donahue
John E
JE
Zappulla
Rosario
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D038481:Anterior Temporal Lobectomy; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005936:Glucans / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012598:Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005936:Glucans; C083094:polyglucosan