Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Network Analysis of Foramen Ovale Electrode Recordings in Drug-resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients
09:32

Network Analysis of Foramen Ovale Electrode Recordings in Drug-resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients

Published on: December 18, 2016

Epilepsy surgery for early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (ohtahara syndrome)

Saleem I Malik1, Carlos A Galliani, Angel W Hernandez

  • 11Department of Neurology, Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.

Journal of Child Neurology
|November 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Epilepsy surgery offers a favorable outcome for infants with Ohtahara syndrome, a severe early infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Surgical intervention resulted in seizure freedom or infrequent seizures and improved development in most patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epileptology

Background:

  • Ohtahara syndrome is the earliest and most severe form of age-dependent epileptic encephalopathies.
  • It is characterized by tonic spasms, focal motor seizures, suppression-burst EEG patterns, and pharmaco-resistance.
  • The prognosis is typically dismal with high mortality and severe impairment in survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of epilepsy surgery in infants diagnosed with Ohtahara syndrome.
  • To compare surgical outcomes with those of pharmacotherapy-managed patients.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of 11 infants meeting Ohtahara syndrome criteria who underwent epilepsy surgery in infancy.
  • Data was compiled from 9 literature cases and 2 cases from the authors' institution.

Main Results:

  • Seven of 11 infants (63.6%) achieved complete seizure freedom (Engel class IA).
  • Four infants (36.4%) experienced rare to infrequent seizures (Engel class IIB).
  • All surgically treated infants demonstrated catch-up development.

Conclusions:

  • Epilepsy surgery is a highly effective treatment for selected infants with Ohtahara syndrome.
  • Surgical management offers a significantly more favorable outcome compared to pharmacotherapy, with reduced mortality and improved developmental trajectories.

Keywords:
Early infantile epileptic encephalopathyOhtahara syndromecortical resectionepilepsy surgerysuppression bursts

More Related Videos

Full-Endoscopic Surgery for Hypothalamic Hamartoma Resection02:22

Full-Endoscopic Surgery for Hypothalamic Hamartoma Resection

Published on: April 12, 2024

Frontal Disconnection for Treating Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia in Epilepsy (MOGHE) in the Frontal Lobe06:04

Frontal Disconnection for Treating Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia in Epilepsy (MOGHE) in the Frontal Lobe

Published on: August 16, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

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: Types01:22

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: Classification01:13

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:
Electroconvulsive Therapy01:30

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early years,...
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

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,...