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Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
Published on: September 20, 2024
Therapeutic Challenge in a Case of Recent Onset Refractory Cluster Seizures
Sachin Sureshbabu1, Muralikrishnan Veleri Padmanabhan1, Jacob Alappat1
1Department of Neurology, Aster Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, Kozhikode, India.
Insights
Early surgical resection of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is effective for intractable epilepsy. This case report shows a 4-year-old seizure-free after FCD removal.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Epileptology
Background:
- Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) can cause severe epilepsy, posing treatment challenges.
- Determining optimal surgical timing for FCD-related seizures is critical.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old girl presented with explosive onset, drug-refractory cluster seizures.
- Clinical, EEG, neuroimaging, and PET findings localized the dysplasia to the left middle frontal gyrus.
Findings:
- Surgical resection of the FCD under electrocorticographic guidance was successful.
- The patient achieved complete seizure freedom (Engel Class 1) at 2-month follow-up.
Implications:
- This case suggests early surgical intervention for FCD may yield better outcomes.
- Prompt surgical management could be a viable strategy for pediatric epilepsy due to FCD.
Abstract:
A dilemma exists in context to the timing of surgery in a case presenting with explosive onset seizures secondary to a focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). This case report highlights the challenges faced in the management of a 4-year-old child with recent onset cluster seizures refractory to anti-epileptic drugs. A 4-year-old girl presented with an acute onset of cluster seizures (up to 32 in a day), semiologically characterized by tonic upper limb extension and laughter lasting for few seconds with no response to multiple anti-epileptic drugs. The clinical, electrographic, neuroimaging and interictal positron emission tomography data were concordant and consistent with a left middle frontal gyrus dysplasia which was successfully resected under electrocorticographic guidance. Patient is seizure free at 2 months of follow up. (Engel Class 1). Surgical resection is feasible and potentially more effective in the early phase of clinical presentation of FCD.
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