Language recovery after epilepsy surgery of the Broca's area

Epilepsy Behav Case Rep. 2017 Jun 17:9:42-45. doi: 10.1016/j.ebcr.2017.06.002. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Epilepsy surgery is indicated in select patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Seizure freedom or significant reduction of seizure burden without risking new neurological deficits is the expected goal of epilepsy surgery. Typically, when the seizure onset zone overlaps with eloquent cortex, patients are excluded from surgery. We present a patient with drug-resistant frontal lobe epilepsy who underwent successful surgery with resection of Broca's area, primarily involving the pars triangularis (BA 45). We report transient expressive aphasia followed by recovery of speech. This case provides new insights into adult neuroplasticity of the language network.

Keywords: Electrocorticography; Eloquent cortex; Epilepsy surgery; Language and epilepsy; Refractory epilepsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports