Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
07:07
Inducing Post-Traumatic Epilepsy in a Mouse Model of Repetitive Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: February 10, 2020
Focal epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis after acute meningitis
Archives of Neurology
|November 1, 1985
Summary
Childhood meningitis with severe convulsions can lead to drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurosurgical intervention, like temporal lobectomy, may offer relief from epilepsy and associated social/psychiatric issues.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Childhood meningitis, particularly with severe convulsions, can precipitate long-term neurological sequelae.
- Drug-resistant epilepsy is a significant challenge in pediatric neurology, impacting quality of life.
Observation:
- Two pediatric patients developed chronic, drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy following acute meningitis and severe convulsions.
- The epilepsy developed over 8-9 years and was associated with social and psychiatric impairments.
Findings:
- Both patients underwent right anterior temporal lobectomy.
- Histopathological examination revealed mesial temporal sclerosis (Ammon's horn sclerosis) in both cases.
- Surgical treatment resulted in remission of epilepsy and associated handicaps.
Implications:
- Chronic focal epilepsy following childhood meningitis warrants neurosurgical evaluation.
- Long-term follow-up (≥10 years) is crucial for assessing treatment efficacy in early brain infection sequelae.
- Temporal lobectomy can be an effective treatment for specific types of drug-resistant epilepsy secondary to meningitis.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Epilepsy 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...
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
01:13Seizures: 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:
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:
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:20Seizures 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,...
01:19Seizures ll: Types
Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical discharge in the brain that interfere with normal function. They are commonly divided into three groups: focal seizures, generalized seizures, and other types that do not fit neatly into either category.Focal SeizuresFocal seizures begin in a single brain region. When awareness is preserved, they are called focal aware seizures and may cause sensations such as tingling, unusual smells, or flashing lights. When awareness is impaired, they are...
01:22Epilepsy 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.