ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Gelastic seizures (GS) are classically observed with hypothalamic hamartomas but they can also be associated with cortical epileptogenic foci. OBJECTIVE: To study the different cortical localizations associated with GS. METHODS: We reviewed the data from all patients with cortical GS investigated in our epilepsy unit from 1974 to 2012 and in the literature from 1956 to 2013. RESULTS: Sixteen cases were identified in our database and 77 in the literature. Investigations provided confident focus localization in 9 and 18, respectively. In our series, the identified foci were located in the mesial temporal structures (2 left, 1 right), lateral temporal cortex (1 right), superior frontal gyrus (1 left), and operculoinsular region [3 right (orbitofrontal or frontal operculum extending into the anterior insula) and 1 left (frontal operculum extending into the anterior insula)]. In the literature, the identified foci (13 right/5 left) were located in the temporal lobe of 4 (1 right inferior, 1 right medial and inferior, 1 right posterior middle, inferior extending posteriorly to the lingual gyrus, and 1 left middle, inferior, and medial), in the frontal lobe of 12 [10 (6 right/4 left) medial (i.e., superior, medial frontal, and/or anterior cingulate gyri), 1 lateral (right anterior inferior frontal gyrus), and 1 right medioposterior orbitofrontal cortex] and in the parietal lobe of 2 (1 left superior parietal lobule and 1 right parietal operculum) patients. CONCLUSION: Ictal laughter is a poorly lateralizing and localizing feature as it may be encountered in patients with a focus in the left or right frontal, temporal, parietal, or insular lobe.
