Corpus Callosotomy for Non-Localizing Drug Resistant Epilepsy with Drop Attacks

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Epileptology
• Clinical Neurology

Background:

• Corpus callosotomy (CC) is a palliative surgical option for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).
• CC aims to eliminate drop attacks and prevent associated fall injuries.
• This procedure is considered for carefully selected epilepsy patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of corpus callosotomy in patients with DRE experiencing drop attacks.
• To assess seizure cessation and reduction in seizure frequency post-CC.
• To compare outcomes between anterior and complete corpus callosotomy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 17 patients undergoing CC for DRE between 2015-2019.
• Data collected included clinical details, imaging, surgical findings, outcomes, and functional status.
• Follow-up duration was a median of 26 months.

Main Results:

• All 17 patients achieved immediate cessation of drop attacks post-surgery.
• Complete CC (16 patients) demonstrated superior control of drop attacks compared to anterior CC (1 patient).
• Three patients achieved complete seizure freedom, and four had >50% seizure frequency reduction.

Conclusions:

• Corpus callosotomy is effective in achieving cessation of drop attacks for DRE patients.
• Complete CC provides better control of drop attacks than anterior CC.
• The procedure offers a reasonable reduction in overall seizure frequency.