title: Surgery for epilepsy: a systematic review of current evidence.
abstract: This seminar discusses the history and development of techniques for surgical intervention for people with refractory focal epilepsy. Published surgical success rates and prognostic factors associated with post-operative seizure freedom from individual studies have been variable and contradictory. We present here the key findings of a Cochrane systematic review of all evidence published since the introduction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to pre-operative surgical assessment in 1984. Our findings show the usefulness of uncontrolled case series is now past. Future studies with a prospective controlled design should focus on specific research questions to help improve results and provide better-informed advice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Neurology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester,, Cochrane Epilepsy Group, Liverpool.
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: Cochrane Epilepsy Group, Liverpool,, Department of Biostatistics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Neurology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester,, Cochrane Epilepsy Group, Liverpool.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012640:Seizures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: focal epilepsy; surgical resection; systematic review