Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Focal and Generalized Epilepsy: Current Trends and Recent Advancements

Abstract

For a subset of children with medically intractable epilepsy, surgery may provide the best chances of seizure freedom. Whereas the indications for epilepsy surgery are commonly thought to be limited to patients with focal epileptogenic foci, modern imaging and surgical interventions frequently permit successful surgical treatment of generalized epilepsy. Resection continues to be the only potentially curative intervention; however, the advent of various neuromodulation interventions provides an effective palliative strategy for generalized or persistent seizures. Although the risks and benefits vary greatly by type and extent of intervention, the seizure outcomes appear to be uniformly favorable. Advances in both resective and nonresective surgical interventions provide promise for improved seizure freedom, function, and quality of life. This review summarizes the current trends and recent advancements in pediatric epilepsy surgery from diagnostic workup and indications through surgical interventions and postoperative outcomes.

Academic attainment following pediatric epilepsy surgery: A systematic review

“…Though evidence corroborates improved quality of life and cognitive development following surgery [91], the nature of neuropsychological change can vary greatly between patients [17]. In spite of the known variance in postoperative function [18,92,93], and the influence this may have on academic achievement, little is known of academic outcomes following epilepsy surgery during childhood. The present paper systematically reviewed thirteen articles examining academic attainment following childhood epilepsy surgery.…”