An intensive education program for caregivers ameliorates anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis who underwent cortico-amygdalohippocampectomy

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a caregiver intensive education program (CIEP) on anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE-MTS) who underwent cortico-amygdalohippocampectomy (CAH). Ninety patients with drug-resistant TLE-MTS who underwent CAH and their caregivers were recruited and randomly allocated to the CIEP group or control group as 1:1 ratio. Caregivers received the CIEP program or routine guidance/education (control group). Anxiety/depression and QOL in patients at month (M)0, M1, M3, and M6 were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scale and the QOL in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31), respectively. Treatment efficacy at M6 was assessed by Engel classification. The HADS-anxiety score at M3 (P=0.049) and M6 (P=0.028), HADS-anxiety score change (M6-M0) (P=0.001), percentage of anxiety patients at M6 (P=0.025), and anxiety severity at M6 (P=0.011) were all decreased in the CIEP group compared with the control group. The HADS-depression score at M6 (P=0.033) and HADS-depression score change (M6-M0) (P=0.022) were reduced, while percentage of depression patients at M6 (P=0.099) and depression severity at M6 (P=0.553) showed no difference in the CIEP group compared with the control group. The QOLIE-31 score at M6 (P=0.043) and QOLIE-31 score change (M6-M0) (P=0.010) were both elevated in the CIEP group compared with the control group. In conclusion, CIEP for caregivers contributed to the recovery of anxiety and depression as well as the improvement of QOL in patients with drug-resistant TLE-MTS who underwent CAH.

‘Hummingbird’ Sign in a Patient with Guam Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex

We present a case of a 71-year-old male Chamorro patient from Guam who presented with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)-Richardson’s syndrome. Considering his strong family history of parkinsonism and a PSP phenotype, he was clinically diagnosed with Guam parkinsonism-dementia complex (PDC). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed prominent midbrain atrophy with preserved pontine volume, forming the ‘hummingbird’ sign, which has not been described before in Guam PDC. Molecular analysis of the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 gene (C9orf72) showed only 6 GGGGCC repeats. We discuss the clinico-pathological similarities and differences between PSP and Guam PDC, and highlight the topography of neuropathological changes seen in Guam PDC to explain the appearance of the ‘hummingbird’ sign on MRI.

Extratemporal abnormalities in phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy of patients with mesial temporal sclerosis / Anormalidades extratemporais na espectroscopia de fósforo por ressonância magnética em pacientes com esclerose mesial temporal

ABSTRACT Objective We evaluated extratemporal metabolic changes with phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) in patients with unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS). Method 31P-MRS of 33 patients with unilateral MTS was compared with 31 controls. The voxels were selected in the anterior, posterior insula-basal ganglia (AIBG, PIBG) and frontal lobes (FL). Relative values of phosphodiesters- PDE, phosphomonoesters-PME, inorganic phosphate - Pi, phosphocreatine- PCr, total adenosine triphosphate [ATPt = γ- + a- + b-ATP] and the ratios PCr/ATPt, PCr/γ-ATP, PCr/Pi and PME/PDE were obtained. Results We found energetic abnormalities in the MTS patients compared to the controls with Pi reduction bilaterally in the AIBG and ipsilaterally in the PIBG and the contralateral FL; there was also decreased PCr/γ-ATP in the ipsilateral AIBG and PIBG. Increased ATPT in the contralateral AIBG and increased γ-ATP in the ipsilateral PIBG were detected. Conclusion Widespread energy dysfunction was detected in patients with unilateral MTS.

RESUMO Objetivo Nós avaliamos as alterações metabóblicas através da espectroscopia de fósforo por ressonância magnética (31P-MRS) em pacientes com esclerose mesial temporal (EMT) unilateral. Método 31P-MRS de 33 pacientes com EMT unilateral foram comparadas aos de 31 controles. Foram selecionados os voxels nas regiões insulonuclear anterior e posterior (RINA e RINP) e frontal (RF). Os valores relativos de fosfodiésteres – PDE, fosfomonoésteres- PME, fosfato inorgânico- Pi, fosfocreatina –PCr, adenosina trifosfato total [ATPt = γ- + a- + b-ATP] e as razões PCr/ATPt, PCr/γ-ATP, PCr/Pi e PME/PDE foram obtidas. Resultados Nós encontramos anormalidades em pacientes com EMT em comparação aos controles. Redução de Pi nas RINA bilateralmente, RINP ipsilateral e RF contralateral, redução de PCr/γ-ATP nas RINA e RINP ipsilaterais foram detectadas. Aumentos de ATPT na RINA contralateral e aumento de γ-ATP na RINP ipsilateral também foram encontradas. Conclusão Disfunção energética difusa foi encontrada em pacientes com EMT unilateral.

Small calcified lesions suggestive of neurocysticercosis are associated with mesial temporal sclerosis / Pequenas lesões calcificadas sugestivas de neurocisticercose e estão associadas com esclerose mesial temporal

Recent studies have suggested a possible relationship between temporal lobe epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) and neurocysticercosis (NC). We performed a case-control study to evaluate the association of NC and MTS. Method: We randomly selected patients with different epilepsy types, including: MTS, primary generalized epilepsy (PGE) and focal symptomatic epilepsy (FSE). Patients underwent a structured interview, followed by head computed tomography (CT). A neuroradiologist evaluated the scan for presence of calcified lesions suggestive of NC. CT results were matched with patients’ data. Results: More patients in the MTS group displayed calcified lesions suggestive of NC than patients in the other groups (p=0.002). On multivariate analysis, MTS was found to be an independent predictor of one or more calcified NC lesions (p=0.033). Conclusion: After controlling for confounding factors, we found an independent association between NC calcified lesions and MTS. .

Estudos recentes têm sugerido possível relação entre epilepsia do lobo temporal com esclerose mesial temporal (MTS) e neurocisticercose (NC). Conduzimos um estudo caso-controle para avaliar a associação de NC e MTS. Método: Selecionamos randomicamente pacientes com diferentes tipos de epilepsia, incluindo: MTS, epilepsia primariamente generalizada (PGE) e epilepsia focal sintomática (FSE). Pacientes foram submetidos a uma entrevista estruturada, seguida por uma tomografia computadorizada de crânio (CT). Um neuroradiologista avaliou as imagens quanto à presença de lesões calcificadas sugestivas de NC. Resultados das CT foram comparados com os dados dos pacientes. Resultados: Mais pacientes do grupo MTS apresentaram lesões calcificadas sugestivas de NC que de outros grupos (p=0,002). Na análise multivariável, MTS foi um preditor independente de uma ou mais calcificações sugestivas de NC (p=0,033). Conclusão: Após controlar para fatores confusionais, encontramos uma associação independente entre lesões calcificadas de NC e MTS. .

Recurrencia de rrisis epilépticas post tratamieto quirúrgico para cirugía epillepsia en el servicio neurocirugía del hospital materno infantil / Recurrence of seizures post surgical treatment for epilepsy surgery neurosurgery service in "hospital materno infantil"

El concepto clínico y epidemiológico de epilepsia como enfermedad crónica recomendado por la OMS y la ILAE exige la repetición crónica de crisis epilépticas1,2. La epilepsia se clasifica en sintomático, criptogenetica e idiopática¹. Esta descrito que aproximadamente el 1 % de toda la población mundial tiene Epilepsia, siendo una patología muy frecuente y de gran interés en la salud pública, por lo cual la posibilidad de obtener una cura o una mejoría significativa mediante el tratamiento quirúrgico es un campo de investigación en constante crecimiento. Se sabe que la conducta quirúrgica se debe realizar en los pacientes con Epilepsia Sintomática que representan el 40 a 60% de los casos. Los pacientes con epilepsia refractaria al tratamiento son el 10% y son estos los candidatos al tratamiento quirúrgicos por Neurocirugía Funcional, obteniéndose un resultado favorable en más del 60% de los pacientes operados(1,2,3,4,5,6,7). En el presente trabajo tiene por objetivo determinar la Recurrencia de Crisis Epilepticas Asociada al tratamiento quirúrgico para epilepsia según la escala de ENGEL en el servicio Neurocirugía del Hospital Materno Infantil de la Caja Nacional de Salud La Paz Bolivia del 2008 al 2011. Se ha demostrado que el 69% de los pacientes sometidos a cirugía de epilepsia en nuestro centro son considerados como éxito quirúrgico de acuerdo con la Escala de ENGEL, con una mortalidad de cero y con una mejoría en relación a la morbilidad de la patología de base sin asociar complicaciones postquirúrgicas.

The clinical and epidemiologic concept of epilepsy as a chronic disease recommended by the WHO and ILAE requires the chronic repetition of seizures1,2. Epilepsy is classified into symptomatic, cryptogenic and idiopática1. It reported that about 1% of the world's population has epilepsy, being a very common disease of great interest in public health, so the possibility of a cure or significant improvement with surgical treatment is a field of research is constantly growing. It is known that the surgical procedure should be performed in patients with symptomatic epilepsy represent 40 to 60% of cases. Patients with refractory epilepsy are 10% and these are the candidates for surgical treatment of Functional Neurosurgery, obtaining a favorable outcome in more than 60% of patients operados1,2,3,4,5,6,7. The present work aims to determine the recurrence of epileptic Crisis Associated surgical treatment of epilepsy according to the scale of ENGEL in Neurosurgery Service of the Maternity Hospital National Health La Paz Bolivia from 2008 to 2011. It has been shown that 69% of patients undergoing epilepsy surgery at our center are considered surgical success according to the scale ENGEL, with a mortality of zero and an improvement in relation to the morbidity of the underlying disease with no associated postoperative complications.

Surgical and postmortem pathology studies: contribution for the investigation of temporal lobe epilepsy / Patologia cirúrgica e post mortem: contribuição para a investigação da epilepsia do lobo temporal

Pathology studies in epilepsy patients bring useful information for comprehending the physiopathology of various forms of epilepsy, as well as aspects related to response to treatment and long-term prognosis. These studies are usually restricted to surgical specimens obtained from patients with refractory focal epilepsies. Therefore, most of them pertain to temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) and malformations of cortical development (MCD), thus providing information of a selected group of patients and restricted regions of the brain. Postmortem whole brain studies are rarely performed in epilepsy patients, however they may provide extensive information on brain pathology, allowing the analysis of areas beyond the putative epileptogenic zone. In this article, we reviewed pathology studies performed in epilepsy patients with emphasis on neuropathological findings in TLE with MTS and MCD. Furthermore, we reviewed data from postmortem studies and discussed the importance of performing these studies in epilepsy populations.

Estudos de patologia em pacientes com epilepsia trazem informações úteis para compreender a fisiopatologia de várias formas de epilepsia, bem como aspectos relacionados ao tratamento e ao prognóstico a longo prazo. Esses estudos são usualmente restritos a espécimes cirúrgicos obtidos de pacientes com epilepsias focais refratárias. Portanto, a maioria diz respeito à epilepsia do lobo temporal (ELT) com esclerose mesial temporal (EMT) e às malformações do desenvolvimento cortical (MDC). Desse modo, fornecem informações sobre um grupo selecionado de pacientes e sobre regiões restritas do cérebro. Raramente são realizados estudos post mortem do cérebro inteiro em pacientes com epilepsia; entretanto, eles podem prover informações relevantes sobre patologia cerebral, permitindo a análise de áreas além da zona epileptogênica putativa. Neste artigo, foram revisados estudos de patologia feitos em pacientes com epilepsia, com ênfase nos achados neuropatológicos em ELT com EMT e MDC. Foram revisados, ainda, dados de estudos post mortem e discutiu-se a importância da realização desses estudos em populações de pessoas com epilepsia.

Temporal lobe epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis: hippocampal neuronal loss as a predictor of surgical outcome / Epilepsia do lobo temporal com esclerose mesial temporal: o padrão da perda neuronal hipocampal como preditor do prognóstico cirúrgico

OBJECTIVE: To analyze retrospectively a series of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), and the association of patterns of hippocampal sclerosis with clinical data and surgical prognosis. METHOD: Sixty-six patients with medically refractory TLE with unilateral MTS after anterior temporal lobectomy were included. Quantitative neuropathological evaluation was performed on NeuN-stained hippocampal sections. Patient's clinical data and surgical outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: Occurrence of initial precipitating insult (IPI), as well as better postoperative seizure control (i.e. Engel class 1), were associated with classical and severe patterns of hippocampal sclerosis (MTS type 1a and 1b, respectively). CONCLUSION: Quantitative evaluation of hippocampal neuronal loss patterns predicts surgical outcome in patients with TLE-MTS.

OBJETIVO: Analisar retrospectivamente uma série de pacientes com epilepsia do lobo temporal (ELT) e esclerose mesial temporal (EMT), bem como correlacionar os padrões de esclerose hipocampal com os dados clínicos e o prognóstico cirúrgico. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos neste estudo 66 pacientes com ELT refratária a tratamento medicamentoso e com EMT unilateral submetidos à lobectomia temporal anterior. A análise neuropatológica quantitativa foi realizada em seções hipocampais imunomarcadas com NeuN. Dados clínicos e resultados do acompanhamento pós-cirúrgico foram revisados. RESULTADOS: Ocorrência de evento precipitante inicial e melhor controle de crises após a cirurgia (i.e. classe 1 de Engel) foram associados aos padrões clássico (EMT tipo 1a) e severo (EMT tipo 1b) de esclerose hipocampal. CONCLUSÃO: A análise quantitativa do padrão de perda neuronal do hipocampo é capaz de predizer o prognóstico cirúrgico em pacientes com ELT-EMT.

Pre-surgical mood disorders associated to worse post-surgical seizure outcome in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis / Transtornos de humor pré-cirúrgicos associados ao prognóstico pós-cirúrgico desfavorável em pacientes com epilepsia do lobo temporal e esclerose mesial temporal

OBJECTIVES: This study aims at verifying the impact of pre-surgical PD on seizure outcome in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE-MTS). METHODS: After previous consent, retrospective data from 115 surgically treated (corticoamygdalohyppocampectomy) TLE-MTS patients (65 females; 56.5%) were analyzed. Psychiatric evaluations were performed through DSM-IV criteria. Engel IA was established as a favorable prognosis. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (41.6%) were classified as Engel IA, while 47 (40.8%) presented pre-surgical PD. Depression (OR=5.11; p=0.004) appeared as a risk factor associated to a non-favorable seizure outcome. CONCLUSION: In patients with refractory TLE-MTS, the presence of depression predicts an unfavorable outcome.

OBJETIVO: No presente trabalho avaliamos o impacto da presença de transtorno psiquiátrico pré-cirúrgico sobre o prognóstico cirúrgico em pacientes com epilepsia do lobo temporal e esclerose mesial temporal (ELT-EMT). METODOLOGIA: Analisamos, retrospectivamente, os dados de 115 pacientes com ELT-EMT (65 mulheres, 56,5%) tratados cirurgicamente (corticoamigdalohipocampectomia). As avaliações psiquiátricas foram feitas de acordo com os critérios DSM-IV. O prognóstico favorável foi definido como ausência de crises desde a cirurgia (Engel IA). RESULTADOS: Dos 115 pacientes tratados, 45 (42,6%) tiveram prognóstico favorável e 47 (40,8%) apresentavam transtorno psiquiátrico pré-operatório. A presença de depressão (OR=5,11; p=0,004) foi associada ao prognóstico cirúrgico desfavorável. CONCLUSÃO: A presença de depressão durante a avaliação psiquiátrica pré-operatória é um fator preditivo de prognóstico desfavorável em pacientes com ELT-EMT.

Diferenças metabólicas no hipocampo contralateral entre pacientes concordantes e discordantes na esclerose mesial temporal (EMT): avaliação com espectroscopia de protóns por ressonância magnética (1H-ERM) / Metabolic differences in the contralateral hippocampus of concordant and discordant mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) patients: evaluation with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS)

OBJETIVO: Pacientes com esclerose mesial temporal (EMT) são clinicamente classificados como concordantes ou discordantes de acordo com a extensão da atividade epileptogênica. O objetivo desse estudo é verificar se as alterações metabólicas no hipocampo são diferentes nos dois grupos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 33 pacientes diagnosticados com EMT, 23 concordantes (33±9 anos) e 10 discordantes (33±10 anos), e 28 controles (33±10 anos). Foi obtida espectroscopia por ressonância magnética de ambos os hipocampos (ipsi e contralateral) com aparelho de 3T e com a sequência PRESS de vóxel único com TE/TR=135/1500ms. Os principais metabólitos foram quantificados com o LCModel. Para a comparação entre os grupos foram realizados testes estatísticos com nível de significância de 0,05. RESULTADOS: Para todos os pacientes foi observada redução de NAAipsi e Cr ipsi quando comparado com o lado contralateral, porém esta diferença foi significativa apenas para o grupo de pacientes concordantes. Quando comparado com o grupo controles houve uma redução significativa de Cr ipsi e NAAipsi para os dois grupos e da relação NAA/Cr ipsi para o grupo de pacientes concordantes enquanto que a relação NAA/Cr contra estava diminuída apenas no grupo de pacientes discordantes. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos achados sugerem uma maior diminuição do NAA/Cr ipsi no grupo de pacientes concordantes e da relação NAA/Cr contra no grupo de pacientes discordantes apontando para um padrão diferente de alteração metabólica para os dois grupos. Porém é preciso aumentar o tamanho da amostra para confirmar estes resultados.

PURPOSE: Patients with mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) are clinically classified as concordant or discordant according to the extent of epileptogenic activity. The aim of this study is to determine whether the metabolic changes in the hippocampus are different in the two groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 33 patients diagnosed with MTS, 23 concordant (33±9 years old) and 10 discordant (33±10 years old) and 28 controls (33±10 years old) were evaluated. We obtained magnetic resonance spectroscopy of both hippocampi (ipsilateral and contralateral) on a 3T scanner with single voxel PRESS sequence with TE/TR=135/1500ms. The main metabolites were quantified with LC Model. For comparison between groups statistical tests were performed with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: In all patients a reduction of NAAipsi and Cr ipsi was observed, when compared to the contralateral side, but this difference was only significant for the group of concordant patients. In comparison with controls a significant reduction of Cr ipsi and NAAipsi was observed for both groups and for Naa/Cr ipsi in the group of concordant patients while NAA/Cr contra was reduced only in the group of discordant patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a stronger decline of NAA/Cr ipsi in the group of concordant patients and of NAA/Cr contra in discordant patients, suggesting a slightly different metabolic pattern for both groups. However, we need to increase the sample size to confirm these findings.

Electrophysiological and auditory behavioral evaluation of individuals with left temporal lobe epilepsy / Avaliação eletrofisiológica e comportamental da audição em individuos com epilepsia em lobo temporal esquerdo

The purpose of this study was to determine the repercussions of left temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) for subjects with left mesial temporal sclerosis (LMTS) in relation to the behavioral test-Dichotic Digits Test (DDT), event-related potential (P300), and to compare the two temporal lobes in terms of P300 latency and amplitude. We studied 12 subjects with LMTS and 12 control subjects without LMTS. Relationships between P300 latency and P300 amplitude at sites C3A1,C3A2,C4A1, and C4A2, together with DDT results, were studied in inter-and intra-group analyses. On the DDT, subjects with LMTS performed poorly in comparison to controls. This difference was statistically significant for both ears. The P300 was absent in 6 individuals with LMTS. Regarding P300 latency and amplitude, as a group, LMTS subjects presented trend toward greater P300 latency and lower P300 amplitude at all positions in relation to controls, difference being statistically significant for C3A1 and C4A2. However, it was not possible to determine laterality effect of P300 between affected and unaffected hemispheres.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a repercussão da epilepsia de lobo temporal esquerdo (LTE) em indivíduos com esclerose mesial temporal esquerda (EMTE) em relação à avaliação auditiva comportamental-Teste Dicótico de Dígitos (TDD), ao Potencial Evocado Auditivo de Longa Latência (P300) e comparar o P300 do lobo temporal esquerdo e direito. Estudamos 12 indivíduos com EMTE (grupo estudo) e 12 indivíduos controle com desenvolvimento típico. Analisamos as relações entre a latência e amplitude do P300, obtidos nas posições C3A1,C3A2,C4A1 e C4A2 e os resultados obtidos no TDD. No TDD, o grupo estudo apresentou pior desempenho em relação ao grupo controle, sendo esta diferença estatisticamente significante em ambas as orelhas. Para o P300, observamos que em seis indivíduos com EMTE o potencial foi ausente. Para a latência e amplitude, verificamos que estes indivíduos apresentaram uma tendência ao aumento da latência e redução da amplitude para todas as posições em relação ao grupo controle, sendo estatisticamente significante em C3A1 e C4A2. Contudo, não foi possível determinar efeito de lateralidade do P300 entre o hemisfério afetado e não-afetado.

Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with mesial temporal sclerosis

OBJECTIVE: Behavioral changes in patients with epilepsy can range from depression, anxiety to psychosis and personality traits. We evaluated the frequency of psychiatric disorders (PD) in a homogenous series of patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) related to mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) aiming at determining the frequency of PD and possible correlations to clinical variables and to laterality of MTS. METHODS: Data from 106 refractory TLE patients were reviewed. Psychiatric evaluation was based on DSM-IV criteria. Statistical analysis was performed through the chi-square (chi²), Student's t test and Fisher's exact test. P value considered significant was < 0.05. RESULTS: PD were found in 65 patients (61.3 percent). Among them, mood disorders were the most frequent (32 patients; 30 percent), followed by interictal (15 patients; 14 percent) and postictal (10 patients; 9.4 percent) psychosis. Postictal and interictal psychosis were significantly associated with left side MTS (p < 0.05), while PD in general and mood disorders were not associated to any side. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of PD in patients with refractory TLE associated to MTS. The most common were mood and psychotic disorders. Psychosis was significantly associated to left side. These findings are concordant with data in literature, confirming the existence of anatomic alterations, and also a possible left laterality effect in the mesial temporal lobe structures in patients with epileptic psychosis.

OBJETIVOS: Foi avaliada a freqüência de transtornos psiquiátricos (TP) em uma série homogênea de pacientes com epilepsia do lobo temporal (ELT) associada à esclerose mesial temporal (EMT), com o objetivo de verificar a prevalência e os tipos de TP nessa população e de correlacionar tais transtornos a aspectos clínicos e à lateralidade da EMT. METODOLOGIA: Dados de 106 pacientes com ELT refratária associada a EMT foram revisados. A avaliação psiquiátrica foi baseada nos critérios diagnósticos do DSM-IV. A análise estatística foi realizada através do teste do qui-quadrado (chi²), do teste t de Student e do teste exato de Fisher. O valor de P considerado significante foi < 0,05. RESULTADOS: TP foram diagnosticados em 65 pacientes (61,3 por cento). Transtornos do humor foram os mais freqüentemente encontrados (32 pacientes; 30 por cento), seguidos por psicose interictal (15 pacientes; 14 por cento) e por psicose pós-ictal (10 pacientes; 9.4 por cento). Tanto a psicose interictal como a psicose pós-ictal foram associadas a EMT à esquerda (p < 0,05), enquanto TP em geral e transtornos do humor não foram correlacionados a nenhum lado. CONCLUSÃO: HOUVE uma elevada prevalência de TP em pacientes com ELT refratária associada a EMT. Os mais freqüentemente encontrados foram transtornos do humor e psicóticos. Quadros psicóticos foram associados a EMT à esquerda. Tais achados são concordantes com dados da literatura atual em relação à prevalência de TP na ELT, confirmando a existência de alterações anatômicas e uma possível associação da EMT à esquerda com quadros psicóticos na ELT.

Somatosensory aura in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: semiologic characteristics, MRI findings and differential diagnosis with parietal lobe epilepsy

INTRODUCTION: Somatosensory auras (SSAs) are more usually described in patients with parietal lobe epilepsy (PLE), producing more commonly a localized cutaneous tingling sensation, involving hands and fingers followed by tonic or clonic focal seizures. These usually originate in the contralateral hemisphere. Etiology includes dysplasias, tumours, ischemic or postencephalitic gliosis. However, other focal epilepsies, such as frontal and temporal, may also originate SSAs. Although this type of aura is reported as rare in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), this association has not been systematically studied.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article was to describe the cases of four patients with refractory MTLE and SSAs, reporting their clinical characteristics and MRI findings. We discuss the localizing and lateralizing value of SSAs, particularly in the context of MTLE. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four patients with refractory MTLE and SSAs followed-up in the outpatient's clinic at the Epilepsy Section, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, were submitted to presurgical evaluation and corticoamygdalohippocampectomy. MRI in all cases showed unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS). Regarding seizure semiology, tingling sensation involving the upper extremity was the most prevalent symptom. Three of the four patients had SSAs contralateral to the MTS. Following the SSAs all patients most of the time presented other symptoms such as autonomic or psychic auras evolving to psychomotor seizures. After surgical treatment, two of the patients presented infrequent auras, and two were rendered seizure-free. CONCLUSION: Although rare, SSAs can be present in MTLE. The characteristics of autonomic or psychic auras, psychomotor seizures, neuropsychological deficits, and typical neurophysiologic and MRI findings may help differentiate patients with MTLE from those with PLE

INTRODUÇÃO: Auras somatossensoriais (AS) são mais frequentemente descritas em pacientes com epilepsia de lobo parietal (ELP), produzindo sensação de formigamento cutâneo envolvendo mão e dedos seguida de sinais motores focais tônicos ou clônicos. Estas crises habitualmente originam-se no hemisfério cerebral contralateral. Displasias, tumores, patologias vasculares ou gliose pós encefalite constituem as etiologias mais prováveis. Outras epilepsias focais, como as de lobo frontal e temporal podem também originar (AS). Embora este tipo de aura seja considerada rara em pacientes com epilepsia mesial do lobo temporal (EMLT), esta associação ainda não foi sistematicamente estudada. OBJETIVOS: A proposta deste artigo foi descrever quatro casos de EMLT refratária ao tratamento clínico, apresentando AS, reportar as características clínicas comuns, achados de neuroimagem e estudar o valor localizatório e lateralizatório das mesmas. MÉTODOS E RESULTADOS: Quatro pacientes com EMLT refratária e AS acompanhados no ambulatório de Epilepsia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, foram submetidos a avaliação pré-cirúrgica. Sensação de formigamento envolvendo a extremidade superior foi o sintoma predominante em todos. Em três (75%) as auras foram contralaterais à esclerose mesial temporal (EMT). Em todos as AS eram, com maior freqüência, seguidas por outras auras autonômicas e psiquícas e evoluiam para crises parciais complexas (crises psicomotoras). CONCLUSÃO: Embora raras, AS podem estar presentes em EMLT. A associação de auras autonômicas e psíquicas, presença de crises parciais complexas (psicomotoras), déficits neuropsicológicos distintos, além de achados neurofisiológicos e de neuroimagem podem diferenciar pacientes com EMLT daqueles com ELP.

Thalamic Damage in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy with Mesial Temporal Sclerosis / 대한간질학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency of the thalamic damage and its relationship with clinical data in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS). METHODS: We evaluated 45 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy showing unequivocal changes of unilateral MTS by the visual inspection of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to 20 controls. We presumed the inferior margin of the lateral ventricle (IMLV) posterior to the foramen of Monro reflects the volume of the thalamus, and investigated the thalamic damage by comparing bilateral IMLVs on oblique coronal T2 MR images posterior to the foramen of Monro. The relationships between clinical data and the presence of asymmetry of IMLV were evaluated. RESULTS: None of the control group had asymmetry of the hippocampus or IMLV. Asymmetry of IMLV was observed in 42% (19 of 45) of the patient group;IMLV was downward on the ipsilateral side in 40% (18), and on the contralateral side of MTS in one of the four patients having a larger lateral ventricle on the contralateral side of MTS. An asymmetric small fornix and mamillary body was found in 42% and 29% of the patients, respectively, in all ipsilateral to the side of MTS. A history of status epilepticus (SE) was more frequent in patients with downward IMLV ipsilateral to the side of MTS than in patients with symmetry of IMLV (five of 18 versus one of 26, p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the thalamic damage may be more frequently associated with MTS, when compared with previous studies, which applied more strict methods in evaluating the thalamic damage. There is a significant correlation between the presence of asymmetrical IMLV and history of SE, and our study suggests that excessive and prolonged seizure activity related to SE, can provoke thalamic injury in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and MTS.

Hippocampal Atrophy Pattern and Hippocampal Volume in Mesial Temporal Sclerosis: Correlation with Risk Factors and Surgical Outcome

BACKGROUND: Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is the most common cause of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, the regional distribution pattern and volume loss of HS and its clinical significance are still controversial. We investigated the regional distribution of hippocampal atrophy (HA) and the volume loss of HS and correlated these data with several clinical factors including seizure risk factor and surgical outcome. METHODS:MRI volumetry was performed on 40 patients with TLE and pathologically proven HS and 20 control subjects using PACS system. The patterns of HA were categorized into diffuse and regional types. The clinical factors included were : age at onset, seizure duration, sex, history of febrile convulsion, and meningoencephalitis. MR volumetry data representing volume loss and pattern of HA were analyzed looking at surgical outcome and clinical factors. RESULTS: 1) The MRI volumetry of hippocampus was highly sensitive and specific (above 95%) for HS. 2) Diffuse HA involving both the hippocampal head and body was slightly more common (56%) than the regional pattern. Regional atrophy was usually found in the hippocampal body. 3) The history of meningitis/encephalitis was significantly associated with diffuse atrophy (p=0.034). 4) The age at seizure onset was correlated with the degree of HA (r=0.460, p=0.003). 5) The pattern and severity of HA were not related to surgical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The variable patterns of HA exist in mesial temporal sclerosis. They may be related to various clinical factors and the underlying epileptogenic process.

Cortical Dysplasia and Mesial Temporal Sclerosis in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Pre-operative Clinical Feature and Surgical Outcome between Patients with Dual Pathology and Patients with Mesial Temporal Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) is a well-known cause of temporal lobe epilepsy. Coexistence with cortical dysplasia (CD) has been reported, but its role is not well recognized. This study aims to determine whether there is any difference about clinical feature and surgical outcome between patients with MTS and coexistent CD (group 1) and patients with isolated MTS (group 2). METHODS: Retrospectively, surgical series of 45 patients (male:22, female:23) diagnosed as temporal lobe epilepsy were reviewed. We excluded patients who had another pathology (e. g., tumor, vascular malformation) except MTS or CD. The pathology, case histories, interictal EEG, and surgical outcome were compared. RESULTS: There was a tendency for group 1 patients to have earlier seizure onset age (10.9+/-6.35 versus 14.5+/-6.03, p=0.06) There was no statistically significant difference in the history of febrile convulsions (68.4% versus 53.8%, p>0.16) No statistically significant difference between groups were also found in disease duration, the head trauma/mental retardation history, seizure frequency, interictal EEG, and surgical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: CD in MTS appears to have an influence on seizure onset. The relationships among CD, febrile convulsion, and mesial temporal sclerosis must be more investigated.

Cortical Dysplasia and Mesial Temporal Sclerosis in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Pre-operative Clinical Feature and Surgical Outcome between Patients with Dual Pathology and Patients with Mesial Temporal Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) is a well-known cause of temporal lobe epilepsy. Coexistence with cortical dysplasia (CD) has been reported, but its role is not well recognized. This study aims to determine whether there is any difference about clinical feature and surgical outcome between patients with MTS and coexistent CD (group 1) and patients with isolated MTS (group 2). METHODS: Retrospectively, surgical series of 45 patients (male:22, female:23) diagnosed as temporal lobe epilepsy were reviewed. We excluded patients who had another pathology (e. g., tumor, vascular malformation) except MTS or CD. The pathology, case histories, interictal EEG, and surgical outcome were compared. RESULTS: There was a tendency for group 1 patients to have earlier seizure onset age (10.9+/-6.35 versus 14.5+/-6.03, p=0.06) There was no statistically significant difference in the history of febrile convulsions (68.4% versus 53.8%, p>0.16) No statistically significant difference between groups were also found in disease duration, the head trauma/mental retardation history, seizure frequency, interictal EEG, and surgical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: CD in MTS appears to have an influence on seizure onset. The relationships among CD, febrile convulsion, and mesial temporal sclerosis must be more investigated.