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Epilepsy and brain tumors: implications for treatment
1Department of Neurology, Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN 55905.
Abstract:
Primary intraparenchymal tumors of the brain are important etiologic factors in partial or focal epilepsy. Indolent low-grade gliomas may be associated with a long-standing seizure disorder refractory to medical treatment. Surgical resection of the neoplasm and the epileptogenic area may render patients seizure-free. Removal of the tumor alone may also be associated with an excellent survival rate and surgical outcome. Conventional neurosurgical procedures are restricted in patients with tumors that are deep-seated lesions or involve functional cerebral cortex. Computer-assisted stereotactic surgical procedures have been developed for biopsy and resection of intra-axial brain-mass lesions. Stereotactic tumor resection may allow pathological determination of intracranial lesions and produce a worthwhile reduction in seizure activity in some patients with intractable partial epilepsy.
Insights
Brain tumors, particularly low-grade gliomas, can cause difficult-to-treat epilepsy. Surgical removal, including stereotactic tumor resection, may offer seizure freedom and improve patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Oncology
Background:
- Primary intraparenchymal brain tumors are a significant cause of partial or focal epilepsy.
- Indolent, low-grade gliomas can lead to long-standing, medically refractory seizure disorders.
Observation:
- Surgical resection of the tumor and epileptogenic zone can achieve seizure freedom.
- Tumor removal alone can result in excellent survival rates and surgical outcomes.
- Conventional surgery is limited for deep-seated or functionally critical brain tumors.
Findings:
- Computer-assisted stereotactic surgery enables biopsy and resection of intra-axial brain lesions.
- Stereotactic tumor resection aids in pathological diagnosis and can reduce seizure activity in intractable epilepsy.
Implications:
- Stereotactic techniques offer a less invasive approach for managing brain tumors associated with epilepsy.
- This approach may improve quality of life for patients with intractable partial epilepsy.
- Further research into stereotactic tumor resection for epilepsy is warranted.