Seizure outcomes of large volume temporo-parieto-occipital and frontal surgery in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigate the seizure outcomes of temporo-parieto-occipital (TPO) and frontal disconnections or resections in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in order to determine factors which may predict surgical results.

METHODS

Children with DRE, who underwent either TPO or frontal disconnection or resection at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children between 2000 and 2017, were identified from a prospectively collated operative database. Demographic data, age at surgery, type of surgery, scalp EEGs and operative histopathology were collected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was assessed to determine completeness of disconnection and presence of radiological lesion beyond the disconnection margins. Seizure outcome at 6, 12, and 24 months post-surgery was assessed using the Engel Scale (ES). Logistic regression was used to identify relationships between data variables and seizure outcome.

RESULTS

46 children (males = 28, females = 18; age range 0.5-16.6 years) who underwent TPO (n = 32, including a re-do disconnection) or frontal disconnection or resection (n = 15) were identified. Patients in the TPO treatment group had more favourable seizure outcomes than those in the frontal treatment group (ES I-II in 56 %vs 47 % at 6 months, 52 % vs 46 % at 12 months). Presence of the lesion beyond disconnection boundaries and older age at the time of surgery were associated with poorer seizure outcome. Gender, surgery type, completeness of disconnection, scalp EEG findings and underlying pathology were not related to seizure outcome, but subgroup numbers were small.

CONCLUSIONS

Both TPO and frontal disconnection are effective treatments for selected children with posterior multi-lobar or diffuse frontal lobe epilepsy. Confinement of the MRI lesion within the disconnection margins and a younger age at surgery are associated with favourable seizure outcomes. Further studies are required to elucidate these findings.