The electrocorticographic status and the extent of the cortical resection in epileptic patients

In three patients operated on for focal epilepsy small pathological lesions in the functionally important cortical regions were microsurgically extirpated. The neighbouring areas of cortex were preseved, although they showed epileptic activity on electrocorticography. The patients are seizure-free three years, two years, and nineteen months later, respectively. On the bases of these facts and experience with another 35 patients operated on for focal epilepsy the authors speculate on the relations between the pathological lesion, epileptogenic cortical area, and the relative dependence of the extent of cortical resection on the electrocorticographic status.