title: Neurocognitive function in children after anterior temporal lobectomy with amygdalohippocampectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assessed the postoperative neurocognitive function after temporal lobectomy in children with temporal lobe epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective analysis of the data of 20 patients with Engel's class I or II outcomes after anterior temporal lobectomy with amygdalohippocampectomy between 2005 and 2008. Twenty children underwent resection of either dominant (n = 8) or nondominant (n = 12) temporal lobes, and their median age at surgery was 12.8 ± 3.2 years. We serially assessed intelligence and memory function as measured by the Korean-Wechsler Scales of Intelligence and Rey-Kim Memory test both before and after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intelligence quotient (IQ) and memory quotient scores remained stable during a 3.6-year median follow-up in these children after the surgery. There was no decrease of IQ or memory quotient scores in either the dominant or non-dominant hemisphere groups. Later onset of epilepsy, a shorter epilepsy duration, a smaller number of antiepileptic drugs, and postoperative seizure-free outcomes were significant good predictors of the postoperative IQ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Temporal lobectomy in children did not provoke a significant decline in intelligence or memory function. Early surgical treatment in children with intractable seizures of temporal lobe origin may result in better neurocognitive outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Children's Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Epilepsy Clinics, Severance Children's Hospital, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hoon-Chul
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Epilepsy Clinics, Severance Children's Hospital, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Heung Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Seok
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu-Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Soyong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Epilepsy Clinics, Severance Children's Hospital, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: joonsl96@yuhs.ac.
authors.forename: Joon Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000601:surgery*; D038481:Anterior Temporal Lobectomy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: anterior temporal lobectomy; child; intelligence; memory; temporal lobe epilepsy