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Induction and Micro-CT Imaging of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations in Mouse Model
Published on: September 4, 2017
Focal cortical dysplasia type IIIc associates with multiple cerebral cavernomas
Pitt Niehusmann1, Albert J Becker, Michael P Malter
1Dept. of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany.
Epilepsy Research
|August 24, 2013
Summary
Focal cortical dysplasia type IIIc (FCD IIIc) is rare in epilepsy patients with cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM). However, FCD IIIc is more common in patients with multiple CCM, suggesting a non-acquired cause.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epileptology
- Pathology
Background:
- The 2011 International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification distinguishes isolated malformations from combined lesions.
- Focal cortical dysplasia type IIIc (FCD IIIc) encompasses cortical lamination abnormalities and vascular lesions.
- The frequency and etiology of FCD IIIc remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate biopsy specimens from epilepsy patients with cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) for associated FCD.
- To determine the frequency of FCD IIIc in relation to CCM presence and multiplicity.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological examination of 72 drug-refractory epilepsy patient biopsy specimens.
- Assessment for FCD in proximity to cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM).
- Statistical analysis comparing FCD IIIc frequency in single versus multiple CCM cases.
Main Results:
- 25 out of 72 samples were not classifiable due to tissue orientation or insufficient adjacent cortex.
- FCD IIIc was identified in 4.3% of the 47 classifiable cases.
- A significantly higher prevalence of FCD IIIc (28.6%) was observed in patients with multiple CCM compared to single CCM (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- FCD IIIc is a rare finding in epilepsy patients with CCM.
- The increased association of FCD IIIc with multiple CCM suggests it may not be an acquired lesion.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the etiology of FCD IIIc in the context of CCM.
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