["Palliative" surgical procedures in refractory epilepsy]

Rev Med Suisse. 2010 May 5;6(247):916, 918-20.
[Article in French]

Abstract

In some patients with refractory epilepsy, no resective surgery of the epileptogenic zone can be offered. This is the case when for instance the epileptogenic zone is located in an eloquent region (motor, language or visual) or when there are several epileptogenic zones. When disabling seizures persist despite the medical treatment, several surgical procedures can be proposed with the aim of decreasing the seizure frequency. Among these procedures, we review briefly here vagus nerve stimulation, the various brain stimulations procedures, multiples subpial transsections, and the corpus callosotomy. For each procedure, we will discuss its indication and outcome.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Corpus Callosum / surgery
  • Drug Resistance
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods*
  • Palliative Care / methods*
  • Quality of Life
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation / methods