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Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...

Epilepsy ll: Types

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.

Seizures l: Introduction

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...

Seizures: Classification

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
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 ll: Types

Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical discharge in the brain that interfere with normal function. They are commonly divided into three groups: focal seizures, generalized seizures, and other types that do not fit neatly into either category.Focal SeizuresFocal seizures begin in a single brain region. When awareness is preserved, they are called focal aware seizures and may cause sensations such as tingling, unusual smells, or flashing lights. When awareness is impaired, they are...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Anteromesial Temporal Lobectomy for Medically Intractable Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: An Operative Study

Anteromesial Temporal Lobectomy for Medically Intractable Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: An Operative Study

Published on: August 15, 2025

Epilepsy surgery for insular lesions.

M von Lehe¹, J Wellmer, H Urbach

¹Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Bonn, Germany. marec.von_Lehe@ukb.uni-bonn.de

Revue Neurologique

|August 15, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Surgical treatment of insular epilepsy lesions is challenging but achievable. Tailored lesionectomies offer safe and effective seizure control, even with subtotal resections.

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Area of Science:

Neurosurgery
Epileptology
Neurology

Background:

Insular lesions causing refractory epilepsy are surgically challenging due to their proximity to eloquent brain areas.
Effective surgical strategies are needed to improve seizure outcomes in patients with insular epilepsy.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of epilepsy surgery for insular lesions.
To analyze surgical strategies and patient outcomes, including seizure control and functional morbidity.

Main Methods:

Retrospective analysis of 24 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery for insular lesions.
Preoperative diagnostics, surgical techniques (including intraoperative monitoring and neuronavigation), and postoperative follow-up were analyzed.
Outcomes assessed included functional morbidity and seizure control using International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification.

Main Results:

Lesions were strictly insular in 8 patients and extended to other lobes in 16 patients.
16.6% of patients experienced mild permanent neurological deficits; 8.3% had transient deficits.
62.5% of patients achieved complete seizure freedom (ILAE 1), and 79.2% had satisfactory seizure control (ILAE 1-3).

Conclusions:

Individually tailored lesionectomy of insular lesions is a safe and effective treatment for selected epilepsy patients.
Satisfactory seizure relief can be achieved even with subtotal resection of insular lesions.
Epilepsy surgery for insular lesions offers a high rate of seizure control with acceptable morbidity.