Post-traumatic Frontal Lobe Epilepsy with Structural Changes: Excellent Results After Cortical Resection

Background: The observation that resection of structural lesions of the frontal lobe provides an effective treatment of intractable epilepsy has been made by surgeons specializing in this field for over sixty years! However, the excellent results achieved when such resections are coupled with the use of modern diagnostic and operative technologies are not fully appreciated by the modern clinician.

Methods: We review the results of resection of large post traumatic frontal lesions in six patients with intractable frontal seizures. No invasive EEG recording was required pre-operatively. Results: The imaging characteristics of the underlying lesions, usually due to depressed skull fractures are illustrated. Surgical treatment rendered five patients seizure free and the sixth had over 85% improvement in seizure frequency.

Conclusions: Modern imaging permits ready visualization of the post traumatic lesions with cause intractable seizures. It is important to recognize that resection of these post traumatic scars usually leads to excellent seizure control.

Can. J. Neurol. Sci. 1996; 23: 114-117