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Surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy in older patients
W Boling1, F Andermann, D Reutens
1Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Quebec, Canada. warren@bic.mni.mcgill.ca
Journal of Neurosurgery
|January 10, 2002
Summary
Surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is effective in older adults (≥50 years). Outcomes in elderly patients with TLE compare favorably to younger groups, demonstrating significant seizure reduction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common form of focal epilepsy.
- Surgical intervention is a treatment option for refractory epilepsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of epilepsy surgery in patients aged 50 years and older with TLE.
- To compare surgical outcomes in older TLE patients with those in younger cohorts.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of TLE patients (≥50 years) surgically treated by a single surgeon.
- Exclusion of patients with mass lesions.
- Comparison of outcomes with younger TLE patient groups.
Main Results:
- 83% of older patients achieved meaningful seizure improvement (seizure-free or rare seizures) post-surgery.
- Surgical outcomes in older patients were comparable to younger patients.
- No negative impact of long-standing epilepsy on seizure freedom was observed.
Conclusions:
- Epilepsy surgery is an effective treatment for TLE in older adults.
- Surgical outcomes in elderly TLE patients are favorable and comparable to younger individuals.
- The risk of postoperative complications is low.