Association of Localizing 18F-FDG-PET Hypometabolism and Outcome Following Epilepsy Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although commonly used in the evaluation of patients for epilepsy surgery, the association between the detection of localizing 18fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose PET (18F-FDG-PET) hypometabolism and epilepsy surgery outcome is uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether localizing 18F-FDG-PET hypometabolism is associated with favorable outcome after epilepsy surgery. METHODS: A systematic literature search was undertaken. Eligible publications included evaluation with 18F-FDG-PET before epilepsy surgery, with ≥10 participants, and those that reported surgical outcome at ≥12 months. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate the odds of achieving a favorable outcome, defined as Engel class I, International League Against Epilepsy class 1-2, or seizure-free, with localizing 18F-FDG-PET hypometabolism, defined as concordant with the epilepsy surgery resection zone. Meta-regression was used to characterize sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: The database search identified 8,916 studies, of which 98 were included (total patients n = 4,104). Localizing 18F-FDG-PET hypometabolism was associated with favorable outcome after epilepsy surgery for all patients with odds ratio (OR) 2.68 (95% CI 2.08-3.45). Subgroup analysis yielded similar findings for those with (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.54-4.52) and without epileptogenic lesion detected on MRI (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.80-3.44). Concordance with EEG (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.43-3.83), MRI (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.19-2.40), and triple concordance with both (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.32-3.64) was associated with higher odds of favorable outcome. By contrast, diffuse 18F-FDG-PET hypometabolism was associated with worse outcomes compared with focal hypometabolism (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.22-0.54). DISCUSSION: Localizing 18F-FDG-PET hypometabolism is associated with favorable outcome after epilepsy surgery, irrespective of the presence of an epileptogenic lesion on MRI. The extent of 18F-FDG-PET hypometabolism provides additional information, with diffuse hypometabolism associated with worse surgical outcome than focal 18F-FDG-PET hypometabolism. These findings support the incorporation of 18F-FDG-PET into routine noninvasive investigations for patients being evaluated for epilepsy surgery to improve epileptogenic zone localization and to aid patient selection for surgery.

Postoperative Evaluation of the Quality of Life, Depression, and Anxiety of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Cohort: A Single Institute Experience in Indonesia.

Background: Besides seizure control, quality of life (QoL) should be considered as an equally important outcome for epilepsy surgery service providers. The paucity of QoL reports from developing countries has enlarged the representation gap between wealthy countries and countries with fewer resources. In this study, we evaluated postoperative QoL in the Indonesian drug-resistant epilepsy cohort where the epilepsy surgery service faces limited resource availability. Methods: We evaluated the QoL in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy who underwent surgery in our epilepsy surgery center in Semarang, Indonesia, from 2001 until 2015. The follow-up period started in 2018 through 2019. Postoperative QoL, depression, and anxiety were evaluated with self-reporting questionnaires including the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scales. Results: Forty returned questionnaires were included in the analysis (male 25, 62.5%; mean age 27.6 ± 9.05 years). The seizure-free cohort (n = 22, 55.0%) reported higher scores in most QoL dimensions particularly adjustment, overall QoL, and seizure worry compared to those with persistent seizures. The overall QoL level was correlated with seizure freedom and surgery type. QoL dimensions were negatively correlated with anxiety and depression levels. Conclusions: Postoperative seizure freedom was a major factor of postoperative QoL level. Besides seizure freedom, anxiety and depression levels were also negatively correlated with QoL levels in the Indonesian population.

Initiating an epilepsy surgery program with limited resources in Indonesia.

To share the experiences of organizing the epilepsy surgery program in Indonesia. This study was divided into two periods based on the presurgical evaluation method: the first period (1999-2004), when interictal electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used mainly for confirmation, and the second period (2005-2017), when long-term non-invasive and invasive video-EEG was involved in the evaluation. Long-term outcomes were recorded up to December 2019 based on the Engel scale. All 65 surgical recruits in the first period possessed temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), while 524 patients were treated in the second period. In the first period, 76.8%, 16.1%, and 7.1% of patients with TLE achieved Classes I, II, and III, respectively, and in the second period, 89.4%, 5.5%, and 4.9% achieved Classes I, II, and III, respectively, alongside Class IV, at 0.3%. The overall median survival times for patients with focal impaired awareness seizures (FIAS), focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures were 9, 11 and 11 years (95% CI: 8.170-9.830, 10.170-11.830, and 7.265-14.735), respectively, with p = 0.04. The utilization of stringent and selective criteria to reserve surgeries is important for a successful epilepsy program with limited resources.

Challenges in intradural disc herniation diagnosis and surgery: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Intradural disc herniation (IDH) is a rare complication which comprises 0.27% of all herniated intervertebral discs. We are reporting a case of lumbar intradural disc herniation at the L4-L5 levels highlighting challenges in establishing clinical diagnosis and surgical approach involving a transdural microsurgery approach. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 38-year-old gentleman was presented with left radicular low back pain without motoric and autonomic involvement admitted to our neurosurgical service. Spine MRI showed an intradural, extra-axial spinal mass. DISCUSSION: Lumbar IDH is a rare pathology thus often initially diagnosed as other more common conditions. In our case, the IDH diagnosis was confirmed during surgery as the radiological examination results mimic intradural extra-axial tumor. During surgery, a hard irregular white mass was found shortly after dural incision. Histopathological results showed chondrocytes, fibrotic and necrotic appearances consistent with the diagnosis of disc herniation. Postoperatively, the patient showed improvement and pain alleviation. CONCLUSION: We observed the beak sign which is one of the important features of IDH imaging. Surgery-wise, the challenge of dissecting the anterolateral part of the duramater from the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc should be noted by the performing surgeon.

Preoperative sensory aura predicts risk for seizure in temporal lobe epilepsy surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) often report viscerosensory and experiential auras, with substantial epilepsy localization. However, few previous studies have investigated the epileptic preoperative aura, particularly with regard to its effect on surgical outcomes in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the potential role of preoperative aura in predicting outcomes after surgery for TLE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included consecutive patients diagnosed with TLE who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) for drug-resistant TLE during the period from January 1999 to December 2017. Data pertaining to patient age at the time of surgery, sex, age at initial seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, presence of preoperative aura, comprehensive clinical semiology, side of surgery, and type of pathology were analyzed. Preoperative auras were classified as autonomic, sensory, mental and affective, or multiple manifestations. Patients were followed at 3 and 12 months after surgery and at regular intervals thereafter. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 498 patients were included in the study. Positive preoperative aura was observed in 386 patients (77.51%). The correlation of each variable with seizure outcomes was analyzed, and the only variable found to correlate with seizure outcome was the presence of preoperative aura. Compared with those with negative preoperative aura, those with positive preoperative aura were 1.74-fold more likely to be seizure-free after surgery for TLE. The analysis of patient data suggested a later onset of initial seizure in those with positive preoperative aura, compared with those without (p = 0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.55-3.24). Patients with a shorter duration of disease prior to TLE surgery were more likely to achieve seizure-free status postoperatively. Preoperative sensory aura was a good predictor that a patient would be seizure-free during follow-up (p = 0.022).

Surgery for Radiologically Normal-Appearing Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in a Centre with Limited Resources.

Approximately 26-30% of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) cases display a normal-appearing magnetic resonance image (MRI) leading to difficulty in determining the epileptogenic focus. This causes challenges in surgical management, especially in countries with limited resources. The medical records of 154 patients with normal-appearing MRI TLE who underwent epilepsy surgery between July 1999 and July 2019 in our epilepsy centre in Indonesia were examined. The primary outcome was the Engel classification of seizures. Anterior temporal lobectomy was performed in 85.1% of the 154 patients, followed by selective amygdalo-hippocampectomy and resection surgery. Of 82 patients (53.2%), Engel Class I result was reported in 69.5% and Class II in 25.6%. The median seizure-free period was 13 (95% CI,12.550-13.450) years, while the seizure-free rate at 5 and 12 years follow-up was 96.3% and 69.0%, respectively. Patients with a sensory aura had better seizure-free outcome 15 (11.575-18.425) years. Anterior temporal lobectomy and selective amygdala-hippocampectomy gave the same favourable outcome. Despite the challenges of surgical procedures for normal MRI TLE, our outcome has been favourable. This study suggests that epilepsy surgery in normal MRI TLE can be performed in centres with limited resources.

Seizure Outcomes in Patients with Complete versus Anterior Corpus Callosotomy: Analysis of Outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Corpus callosotomy (CCT) is a palliative procedure to treat injurious drop attacks or multifocal/generalized seizures in which resection of the epileptogenic focus is not feasible. We are presenting our experience in treating intractable epilepsy patients by CCT procedures. METHODS: We observed 16 patients who underwent callosotomy (male to female ratio 7:9; adult to pediatric ratio 3:13). Initial seizure frequency was reported ranged from 1 to 2 attacks daily to very often (more than 20 episodes daily). RESULTS: Our observation showed that among patients with drop attacks, complete and >90% seizure freedom was reported by 4 and 6 of 13 patients, respectively (76.9% combined). CONCLUSION: Our observation showed that corpus callosotomy yielded good outcome in patients with intractable epilepsy in Indonesia. Our observation showed total callosotomy achieved complete seizure freedom better compared to partial callosotomy patients.

Hemispherotomy for drug-resistant epilepsy in an Indonesian population.

Hemispherotomy is a surgical treatment indicated in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy due to unilateral hemispheric pathology. Hemispherotomy is less invasive compared with hemispherectomy. We reviewed our experience performing 24 hemispherotomy and report the results of 16 patients with prolonged follow-up of this relatively uncommon procedure in two centers in Indonesia. This is a retrospective observational study conducted from 1999 to July 2019 in two epilepsy neurosurgical centers in Semarang, Indonesia. Surgical techniques included vertical parasagittal hemispherotomy (VPH), peri-insular hemispherotomy (PIH), and modified PIH called the Shimizu approach (SA). The postoperative assessment was carried out using the Engel classification system of seizure outcome. Seizure freedom (Engel class I) outcome was achieved in 10 patients (62.5%), class II in 3 patients (18.7%), class III in 2 patients (12.5%), and class IV in 1 patient (6.3%) with follow-up duration spanning from 24 to 160 months. To the best of our knowledge, this series is the most extensive documentation of hemispherotomy in an Indonesian population.

A Novel Bilateral Approach for Suprasellar Arachnoid Cysts: A Case Report.

The endoscopic method is used to treat suprasellar arachnoid cysts (SACs) but it is sometimes difficult to make sufficiently sized fenestrations. Creating a larger fenestration on the cyst wall is preferable to prevent closure of the stoma. In this paper, we report a novel endoscopic approach for SAC treatment in which we use bilateral burr holes to achieve a more extensive cyst fenestration. A 7-year-old girl was referred to our hospital because of incidentally detected hydrocephalus by computed tomography scans. Physical examination did not show any signs of intracranial hypertension, but a digital impression of her skull on X-ray implied chronic intracranial hypertension. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed enlargement of both lateral ventricles and a cystic mass occupying the third ventricle. We performed cyst wall fenestration using a bilateral approach in which we created two burr holes to introduce a flexible endoscope and a rigid endoscope. The cyst wall was held by forceps with the flexible endoscope, and resection of the cyst wall was achieved by using a pair of scissors with the rigid endoscope. There were no postoperative complications, and MRI performed 1 year after treatment showed disappearance of the superior part of the cyst wall.