Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Published on: September 20, 2024
[Focal cortical dysplasia with refractory epilepsy: clinicopathologic study of 38 cases]
Yue-shan Piao1, Li Chen, Yong-juan Fu
1Department of Pathology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China.
Objective:
To investigate the clinicopathologic features of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in patients with refractory epilepsy.
Methods:
The clinical, radiologic and pathologic features of 38 cases of FCD receiving surgical treatment in 2005 were reviewed retrospectively.
Results:
The mean age of disease onset was 9.2 years. The disease lasted for 11.9 years on average and often presented as complex partial seizure. Radiologic examination revealed hippocampal sclerosis, or abnormal signals in the grey matter in 21 cases. According to Palmini's classification system, the following pathologic subgroups were identified: FCD type IA (3/38), FCD type IB (20/38), FCD type IIA (5/38) and FCD type IIB (5/38). The remaining 5 cases were classified as mild cortical dysplasia. Topographically, FCD type II was often seen in the extratemporal region (8/10), predominantly in the frontal lobe (5/8). Dual pathology was identified only in cases with FCD type IB. Immunohistochemical study showed that the giant neurons, immature neurons and dysmorphic neurons were strongly positive for NeuN. A small number of balloon cells expressed nestin.
Conclusions:
FCD is a common cause of refractory epilepsy. FCD type IB is the predominant pathologic subtype. Associated hippocampal sclerosis is sometimes seen. Clinicopathologic differences between FCD type I and FCD type II are observed.
More Related Videos
06:04Frontal Disconnection for Treating Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia in Epilepsy (MOGHE) in the Frontal Lobe
Published on: August 16, 2024
09:32Network Analysis of Foramen Ovale Electrode Recordings in Drug-resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients
Published on: December 18, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Epilepsy ll: Types
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Seizures: Classification
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Seizures ll: Types
Seizures l: Introduction