Surgical treatment of hypermotor seizures originating from the temporal lobe

Seizure. 2013 Dec;22(10):862-6. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2013.07.009. Epub 2013 Aug 6.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of electroclinical manifestations in patients with hypermotor seizures (HMSs) originating from the temporal lobe.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent surgical treatments for seizure to identify patients with HMSs of temporal origin. We systematically reviewed patient seizure histories, imaging reports, video-EEG monitoring data, operative records and pathological findings.

Results: Eight of the 9 patients reported auras. The ictal behavior included marked agitation in 5 patients and mild agitation in 4 patients. All of the 9 patients exhibited stiffness or dystonia of the upper limb or contralateral limbs during ictus. Seven of the 9 patients completed intracranial recording and at least 3 seizures were recorded for each patient. The intracranial recordings showed ictal activity originating from mesial temporal lobe in 6 patients and the lateral temporal lobe in 1 patient. The time interval of ictal propagation from the temporal to frontal lobe was 15.0 ± 8.3 s. While the time interval from EEG origination to the beginning of hypermotor behavior was 21.0 ± 8.1 s. Brain MRIs revealed hippocampal sclerosis in 3, neoplastic lesion in 1, and normal images in the remaining 5 patients. Patients were followed for 1-5 years after the anterior temporal lobectomy; 7 patients remained seizure-free throughout follow-up.

Conclusion: Some HMSs can originate from the temporal lobe. In carefully selected patients, surgical resection may lead to good outcomes.

Keywords: Epilepsy surgery; Hypermotor seizure; Temporal lobe.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anterior Temporal Lobectomy
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Seizures / surgery*
  • Temporal Lobe / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome