Perspectives of epilepsy surgery in resource-poor countries: a study in Georgia

To identify patients with concordant seizure semiology, interictal epileptiform discharges on standard EEG and brain MRI changes to define the patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy (PRE) who would be suitable for epilepsy surgery according to non-invasive protocol.

The medical records of the patients with epilepsy seen in Epilepsy Center of Institute of Neurology and Neuropsychology (ECINN) (Tbilisi, Georgia) were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnostic work-up included neurological examination, standard EEG, and MRI. The degree of concordance of the seizure semiology, EEG, and neuroimaging was used to determine the potential candidates for surgery. The probability of seizure freedom rate was estimated based on known predictive values of anatomical, electrophysiological, and semiological characteristics.

A total of 83 (25 %) patients met the criteria of PRE. Fourteen (17 %) patients had complete concordance of seizure semiology, MRI, and EEG. Out of these patients, 11 had mesial temporal sclerosis on MRI and three had focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). Estimated seizure-free surgical success rate in this group was 75-95 % without the need for further investigations. Out of 25 (30 %) non-lesional MRI cases, the concordance of seizure semiology and EEG was in nine patients with probable success rate up to 60 %. Thirteen patients (16 %) had discordant EEG and MRI data and were not suitable for surgery without further testing.

A significant portion of PRE patients with concordant anatomical, electrophysiological, and semiological characteristics can be treated surgically in resource-limited countries. Nevertheless, most patients will still require further investigation for proper localization of epileptogenic focus.