Ictal spitting in left temporal lobe epilepsy: report of three cases.

PURPOSE: Ictal spitting is rarely reported in patients with epilepsy. More often it is observed in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and is presumed to be a lateralizing sign to language nondominant hemisphere. We report three patients with left TLE who had ictal spitting registered during prolonged video-EEG monitoring. METHODS: Medical charts of all patients with medically refractory partial epilepsy submitted to prolonged video-EEG monitoring in the Epilepsy Unit at UNIFESP during a 3-year period were reviewed, in search of reports of ictal spitting. The clinical, neurophysiological and neuroimaging data of the identified patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Among 136 patients evaluated with prolonged video-EEG monitoring, three (2.2%) presented spitting automatisms during complex partial seizures. All of them were right-handed, and had clear signs of left hippocampal sclerosis on MRI. In two patients, in all seizures in which ictal spitting was observed, EEG seizure onset was seen in the left temporal lobe. In the third patient, ictal onset with scalp electrodes was observed in the right temporal lobe, but semi-invasive monitoring with foramen ovale electrodes revealed ictal onset in the left temporal lobe, confirming false lateralization in surface records. The three patients became seizure-free following left anterior temporal lobectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Ictal spitting is a rare finding in patients with epilepsy, and may be considered a localizing sign of seizure onset in the temporal lobe. It may be observed in seizures originating from the left temporal lobe, and thus should not be considered a lateralizing sign of nondominant TLE.     

Ictal vomiting in partial seizures of temporal lobe origin

We report 3 cases presenting ictal vomiting during partial seizures of temporal lobe origin. Two patients had complex partial seizures accompanying vomiting characteristics. Ictal vomiting occurred early in the course of the seizure when rhythmic discharges involved predominantly the left hemisphere, the language dominance hemisphere. The other patient had ictal vomiting in simple partial seizures which originated from the right temporal lobe or the language nondominant side. All 3 patients underwent anterior temporal lobectomy with promising outcomes. Pathologic diagnosis included hippocampal sclerosis in 2 patients and astrocytoma in 1 patient. In our patients, ictal vomiting does not lateralize temporal lobe epilepsy and is not specific to pathology.     

Ictal vomiting in association with left temporal lobe seizures in a left hemisphere language-dominant patient

Ictal vomiting is considered a localizing sign indicating nondominant lateralization in patients with partial seizures of temporal lobe origin. We report a case of ictal vomiting associated with left temporal seizure activity in a left hemisphere language-dominant patient with a left mesial temporal glioma. Bilateral mesial temporal depth electrodes helped verify seizure lateralization. Surgery consisting of tumor resection and a left anterior temporal lobectomy and amygdalohippocampectomy resulted in freedom from seizures and episodes of vomiting. This case indicates that ictal vomiting can occur as a manifestation of left temporal onset seizures in left hemisphere-dominant patients.     

Electrophysiology of Bimanual-Bipedal Automatisms

Summary: To determine the localizing value and electrophysiology of bimanual-bipedal automatisms (BBAs), we studied these behaviors in 54 seizures of 8 patients with temporal or frontal lobe seizure onset. BBAs occurred with a frequency of 27% in frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) and of 7% in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The distribution of electrode sites showing ictal activity during these automatisms was significantly different in the two patient groups (0.0001 Chi-square). Mesioand/or laterotemporal plus orbital frontal areas were involved areas when the behaviors appeared in patients with TLE; dorsolateral and mesiofrontal regions were the most commonly involved when the behaviors occurred during the course of frontal lobe seizures. We concluded that BBAs represent activation of frontal lobe circuitry but are not unique to seizures of frontal lobe origin. Eyelid flutter and repetitive body movements in either the axial or sagittal plane were significantly associated with the frontal lobe group whereas oral-alimentary automatisms were associated with the temporal lobe group. Thus, these associated behaviors may help indicate whether a frontal or temporal lobe seizure onset has occurred when BBAs are observed. A new concept of ictal expression is proposed to conform with the results as well as with other apparently disparate ictal behaviors that may have localizing value.     

Ictal asystole mimicking seizure deterioration in temporal lobe epilepsy

We report on a patient with temporal lobe epilepsy, secondary to a left lateral temporal cavernoma, in whom the change in seizure semiology suggested recurrence of secondary generalized seizures. Anticonvulsive medication previously controlled secondary generalized seizures over a period of years but focal seizures continued at a lower rate. Continuous video‐EEG monitoring revealed ictal asystole associated with myoclonic syncope and falls during focal seizures arising from the left temporal lobe. After implantation of a cardiac pacemaker, no more falls occurred during the focal seizures. In conclusion, recurrence of seizure‐associated falls is typically attributed to recurrence of secondary generalized seizures, however, ictal asystole should be considered in selected epilepsy patients as a differential diagnosis of falls. [Published with video sequence]     

Ictal fear auras after selective amygdalohippocampectomy: the use of ictal SPECT and scalp EEG in the presurgical reevaluation

The perception of fear aura in complex partial seizures is linked to epileptic discharges within mesial temporal lobe structures. Although selective amygdalohippocampectomy often leads to favorable seizure control, persistence of fear auras after surgery can hamper quality of life significantly. We describe two patients with persistent fear auras after selective amygdalohippocampectomy who had to be reevaluated for a second operative procedure. In one patient, ictal SPECT revealed focal hyperperfusion within the left temporal pole. In the other patient, localization of the focus was possible with ictal scalp EEG, which revealed closely time-related focal theta activity in the right frontotemporal electrodes. Both patients underwent a second surgery leading to complete remission. The persistence of fear auras after selective amygdalohippocampectomy provides an example of involvement of a complex neuronal network in the generation of this emotional state during mesiotemporal lobe seizures. Ictal SPECT or ictal scalp EEG may be valuable in identifying the involved areas and in guiding the surgeon to render these patients seizure free.     

Sensitivity of recordings at sphenoidal electrode site for detecting seizure onset: evidence from scalp, superficial and deep foramen ovale recordings.

OBJECTIVES: Some authors have recently stressed that the position of the tip of sphenoidal electrodes plays a crucial role in their efficacy in detecting ictal onset. An opportunity to test this hypothesis is provided by recordings from the most superficial contacts of foramen ovale (FO) electrode bundles because these contacts are located at the FO, in a position equivalent to that of optimally located sphenoidal electrodes. To simplify wording, recordings obtained by superficial FO electrodes will hereafter be called sphenoidal recordings, although they have not been obtained with standard sphenoidal electrodes. The sensitivities of simultaneous scalp and sphenoidal recordings for detecting ictal onset have been compared with each other, and with a 'gold standard' provided by simultaneous deep intracranial FO recordings from the mesial aspect of the temporal lobe. METHODS: Three hundred and fourteen seizures obtained from 110 patients under telemetric presurgical assessment for temporal lobe epilepsy have been studied. Scalp electrodes included anterior temporal placements. All scalp electrodes were considered when identifying seizure onset but the anterior temporal electrodes were most frequently involved. RESULTS: Ictal onset time at sphenoidal and scalp recordings: initial ictal changes appeared simultaneously in scalp and sphenoidal recordings in 123 seizures (39.2%). Initial changes occurred earlier in sphenoidal recordings in 63 seizures (20.1%), whereas they were seen earlier on the scalp in 76 seizures (24.2%). Artefacts prevented the comparison between sphenoidal and scalp recordings in 16 seizures (5.1%) and no ictal changes were seen on the scalp and/or sphenoidal recordings in 36 seizures (11.5%). In most of the 63 seizures where ictal changes appeared earlier in sphenoidal recordings, a delayed ipsilateral scalp onset was seen as the signal amplitude increased or scalp changes could be identified retrospectively on the scalp with an onset which appeared simultaneous and ipsilateral to the initial sphenoidal changes. Sphenoidal recordings supplied additional information when compared to scalp recordings in only 22 seizures (7%): in 5 seizures with artefacts on the scalp, in 6 seizures with no changes on the scalp and in 11 seizures with discrepant laterality at onset. Congruence in laterality with respect to deep intracraneal FO recordings: of the 61 seizures with unilateral onset on the scalp, onsets at sphenoidal recordings and deep FO electrodes were ipsilateral in most cases. In only 3 of these 61 seizures (4.9%), sphenoidal recordings lateralized ipsilateral to the deep FO electrodes in the presence of a contralateral onset on the scalp. In 14 among the 122 seizures (11.5%) with bilateral asymmetrical onset on the scalp, sphenoidal recordings lateralized seizure onset ipsilateral to the deep FO electrodes in the presence of a contralateral scalp onset. Thus, when compared with scalp EEG, sphenoidal recordings increased laterality congruence with respect to deep FO electrodes in 17 seizures (5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Extracranial electrodes located next to the FO at the sphenoidal electrode site yield an improvement over suitable surface electrodes in the identification of ictal onset in only 5.4-7% of seizures. Such improvement derives from the fact that the low amplitude signals often seen at seizure onset may show higher amplitude on sphenoidal than on scalp recordings.     

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) in a Patient with Bilateral Temporal Seizures: Correlation Between Ictal EEG and Postictal/Ictal SPECT

Summary: We report a patient with bilateral independent temporal lobe seizures in whom two [^99mTc]HMPAO single photon emission computed tomograph (SPECT) scans were performed during two different seizures. In the first perüctal SPECT, [^99mTc]HMPAO was injected in the interval between two closely spaced seizures (one localized in the left temporal lobe and the other in the right temporal lobe). SPECT images showed hypoperfusion in the left lateral temporal lobe, hyper-perfusion of the left mesial temporal region, and pronounced hyperperfusion in the right anterior temporal lobe. These results suggest both a postictal left temporal SPECT pattern and an ictal right temporal pattern. In the second periictal SPECT, [^99mTc]HMPA was injected immediately after a right temporal lobe seizure and showed right lateral temporal lobe hypoperfusion and right mesial hyperperfusion, suggesting a postictal right temporal SPECT pattern. Interpretation of the periictal SPECT should take into account EEG changes at the time or in the minutes immediately after injection of [^99mTc] HMPAO.     

Autonomic phenomena of temperature regulation in temporal lobe epilepsy

Cold shiver and piloerection are rare ictal signs in focal epilepsies. They are often associated with an epileptic seizure focus within the temporal lobe. In rare cases the phenomenon of piloerection has been reported to be confined to body parts ipsilateral to the seizure focus. In this multicentric study epilepsy patients with ictal cold shiver and/or piloerection were retrospectively asked to describe exactly location and spreading patterns of these signs as well as their temporal sequence in relation to other ictal signs. Clinical data, etiology of epilepsy, and seizure focus location were also assessed. In our patient group there was a high relationship to an epileptic focus within the left temporal lobe. Distinct spreading patterns or unilateral piloerection was not indicative of a focus in the ipsilateral temporal lobe as described previously. Our results suggest that phenomena of temperature dysregulation during epileptic seizures may be of value in the presurgical evaluation as they may be indicative of a left temporal lobe seizure focus.     

Hypermotor seizures in patients with temporal pole lesions

Hypermotor seizures are considered to be characteristic of frontal lobe epilepsy, with only rare occurrence in temporal lobe epilepsy. After noting hypermotor seizures in several patients with lesions involving the pole of the temporal lobe, we investigated whether temporal pole lesions were associated with hypermotor seizures. We systematically reviewed medical records, MRI images and pathological findings in consecutive patients who underwent epilepsy surgery over the preceding 10 years in our institution and identified eight patients with temporal pole lesions and intractable complex partial seizures. We analyzed all recorded seizures for semiology, classifying seizures as hypermotor or typical "psychomotor." Four patients exhibited hypermotor seizure semiology and four patients manifested typical psychomotor seizure characteristics. In patients with hypermotor seizures, scalp EEG tended to demonstrate lateral anterior temporal ictal onset, with lesser involvement of the sphenoidal electrode, while the patients with psychomotor seizures had initial inferomesial temporal rhythmic theta activity. Two patients with hypermotor seizures had implanted frontal and temporal subdural grids demonstrating orbitofrontal spread before hypermotor behavior. Patients underwent either anterior temporal lobectomy or lesionectomy. All improved considerably, with six patients seizure-free since surgery. We conclude that hypermotor seizures occur frequently in patients with temporal pole lesions. A search for temporal pole pathology is recommended for patients with hypermotor seizures and temporal epileptiform discharges. Modification of the surgical approach to include this region should be considered in patients who exhibit hypermotor seizures.     

Bilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: comparison of scalp EEG and hippocampal MRI-T2 relaxometry

OBJECTIVE: Bilateral hippocampal abnormality is frequent in mesial temporal lobe sclerosis and might affect outcome in epilepsy surgery. The objective of this study was to compare the lateralization of interictal and ictal scalp EEG with MRI T2 relaxometry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive patients with intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) were studied with scalp EEG/video monitoring and MRI T2 relaxometry. RESULTS: Bilateral prolongation of hippocampal T2 time was significantly associated with following bitemporal scalp EEG changes: (i) in ictal EEG left and right temporal EEG seizure onsets in different seizures, or, after regionalized EEG onset, evolution of an independent ictal EEG over the contralateral temporal lobe (left and right temporal asynchronous frequencies or lateralization switch; P = 0.002); (ii) in interictal EEG both left and right temporal interictal slowing (P = 0.007). Bitemporal T2 changes were not, however, associated with bitemporal interictal epileptiform discharges (IED). Lateralization of bilateral asymmetric or unilateral abnormal T2 findings were associated with initial regionalization of the ictal EEG in all but one patient (P < 0.005), with lateralization of IED in all patients (P < 0.005), and with scalp EEG slowing in 28 (82,4%) of 34 patients (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that EEG seizure propagation is more closely related to hippocampal T2 abnormalities than IED. Interictal and ictal scalp EEG, including the recognition of ictal propagation patterns, and MRI T2 relaxometry can help to identify patients with bitemporal damage in MTLE. Further studies are needed to estimate the impact of bilateral EEG and MRI abnormal findings on the surgical outcome.     

Localizing value of scalp EEG spikes: a simultaneous scalp and intracranial study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between cortical origins of interictal and ictal EEG discharges in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. METHODS: Simultaneous cortical and scalp EEG recordings were obtained from six patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Subdural electrode contacts active at seizure onset and when scalp ictal rhythms became evident were identified. Similarly, cortical substrates of scalp EEG spikes were identified at spike peak and at the initial rising phase of the potential. RESULTS: Intracranial seizure onsets were commonly focal and involved only a few electrode contacts, as opposed to scalp ictal rhythms, which required synchronous activation of multiple electrode contacts. At the peak of scalp spikes, multiple electrode contacts were similarly active. However, at spike onset, cortical substrates were more discrete and commonly involved electrodes similar to that of seizure onsets. CONCLUSIONS: Scalp EEG ictal rhythms and the peak of a scalp spike may poorly localize the epileptogenic focus because of propagation. Cortical source area at scalp spike onset is more discrete, however, and the seizure onset zone often lies within this area. SIGNIFICANCE: Analysis of scalp spikes, such as source modeling, at their initial rising phase might provide useful localizing information about seizure origins in the same patient.     

颅内电极监测对顽固性颞叶癫痫致痫灶的定位价值

目的:探讨发作期及发作间期颅内电极监测对癫痫灶的定位作用。方法:20例难治性颞叶癫痫,经临床、影像学及头皮脑电图不能确定致痫灶部位,应用立体定向技术,在患者双侧颞叶植入硬膜下条状电极,进行长时间视频脑电图监测,记录发作期和发作间期的脑电图变化,并与头皮脑电图、MRI进行比较,分析癫痫灶部位,进行手术治疗,术后跟踪随访,评估致痫灶定位的准确性。结果:20例癫痫病人颅内电极埋藏时间1～5天,每个患者至少监测到2次临床发作,每一病例均记录发作间期和发作期的异常放电活动。15例发作间期与发作期定侧一致,2例发作间期为双侧棘波病灶,3例发作间期定位与发作期不一致。按Engel术后效果分级:手术效果满意(癫痫发作消失)13例(65%),显著改善3例(15%),良好3例(15%),无效1例(5%)。所有病例均未出现因颅内电极埋藏而致的并发症。结论:对于致痫灶不能定位的难治性癫痫,应用颅内电极记录方法,尤其是发作期起始时脑电图变化,可以确定致痫灶位置,为癫痫手术治疗提供可靠的依据。     

Postictal language assessment and lateralization of complex partial seizures

We performed a prospective study of ictal and postictal language function after 105 temporal lobe complex partial seizures in 26 patients. Seizure localization was verified by a greater than 90% reduction in seizure frequency after temporal lobectomy. At the time of the seizure, the patient was asked to read a test phrase aloud until it was read correctly and clearly. In all 62 seizures originating from the left temporal lobe, the patient took more than 68 seconds to read the test phrase correctly (mean, 321.9 seconds); in 42 of 43 seizures from the right temporal lobe, the patient read the test phrase in less than 54 seconds (mean, 19.7 seconds). Postictal paraphasias occurred in 46 of 62 seizures from the left temporal lobe (11 of 14 patients). In this study, quantifying the time delay in reading a test phrase lateralized seizure onset in all 26 patients tested, proving significantly more accurate than any other single noninvasive presurgical test.     

Inter-hemispheric propagation of human mesial temporal lobe seizures: a coherence/phase analysis

Intra- and inter-hemispheric propagation of ictal discharges was analyzed with computer techniques in 10 patients with complex partial seizures of mesial temporal lobe origin in whom depth electrodes had been stereotaxically implanted. Coherence and phase analysis of seizure discharges was used to detect the emergence of linear relationships between all possible pairs of surface and depth recording derivations both between and within hemispheres. This analysis included mesial temporal, lateral temporal, and frontal lobe sites during both the onset and inter-hemispheric propagation of 28 ictal episodes. Although strong intra-hemispheric coherences and linear phase spectra reliably emerged in both the epileptogenic and non-epileptogenic hemispheres during seizure onset and contralateral spread, these relationships were usually not observed for inter-hemispheric comparisons. Only 3 of 10 patients demonstrated some degree of consistency in the emergence of significant wideband coherences and linear phase spectra between left and right mesial temporal sites during the inter-hemispherics propagation of ictal discharges. Mesial temporal lobe sites which demonstrated such a relationship included the amygdala, pes hippocampi, and parahippocampal gyrus. In 7 of 10 patients, lateral temporal derivations were sampled during ictal events; the emergence of linear relationships between left and right lateral temporal derivations during inter-hemispheric propagation was observed for only two. Various frontal lobe sites were monitored in 3 of the 10 patients; the emergence of linear relationships was observed only between left and right orbitofrontal derivations in the one patient for whom this region was sampled. These results suggest that the hippocampal commissure, parts of the corpus callosum, and parts of the anterior commissure may be relatively unimportant for the inter-hemispheric propagation of mesial temporal seizures in man. Future studies in non-human primates may reveal that ictal discharges which originate in the mesial temporal region propagate preferentially via brain-stem pathways to contralateral homologous regions.     

Analysis of the initial ictal phenomenon in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

We aimed to assess the localizing value of the initial semiological element in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Video-EEG-documented seizures of 97 adult TLE patients were studied in relation to seizure origin (left versus right; mesial versus extra-mesial). Strikingly, seizures with mesial onset started with very few ictal phenomena, while seizures of extra-mesial origin began with a larger variety of ictal elements. Furthermore, following noticeable distributions were observed for the mesial group: (i) aura was the most common initial ictal phenomenon in the total patient collective, occurring significantly more frequently in mesial than in extra-mesial seizure onset. Aura appeared most often in seizures of left mesial origin. (ii) Vocalization presented a trend towards mesial left seizure origin. (iii) Oral automatisms showed a trend towards mesial seizure origin. Following noticeable distribution was observed for the extra-mesial group: In patients without aura, restlessness as initial ictal phenomenon appeared exclusively in seizures of extra-mesial right origin. Finally, behavioral arrest showed a trend towards left-sided seizure origin. In conclusion, the initial ictal element may add useful information concerning differentiation of seizure onset in TLE.     

Analysis of Foramen Ovale Electrode-Recorded Seizures and Correlation with Outcome Following Amygdalohippocampectomy

We report a detailed electroclinical analysis of 320 seizures recorded by foramen ovale electrodes in 77 potential candidates for selective temporal lobe surgery because of antiepileptic drug-resistant seizures. The exact localization of the origin of seizure discharges, the electroencephalographic (EEG) seizure onset patterns, transhemispheric propagation, propagation time, duration of discharge, laterality of discharge termination, postictal focal slowing, correspondence between foramen ovale recordings and the scalp EEG, and the influence of antiepileptic drug modifications were studied and correlated with the clinical seizure semiology and with postoperative outcome following selective amygdalohippocampectomy. In general, the foramen ovale electrode technique provided good neurophysiological information in candidates for selective amygdalohippocampectomy. The following ictal signs predicted a good surgical outcome: (a) unilateral and anterior mediobasal temporal lobe seizure onset, (b) short seizure duration, (c) no or infrequent contralateral seizure discharge propagation, and (d) if propagation to the contralateral mediobasal temporal lobe occurred, the postoperative outcome was better the later the contralateral mediobasal temporal lobe was affected. Postoperative outcome was also better the less frequently contralateral interictal spikes occurred. No direct predictive value could be attributed to the presence of an initial arrest reaction.     

Temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis and a contralateral middle fossa arachnoid cyst.

We report on a 13-year-old boy with temporal lobe epilepsy associated with left hippocampal sclerosis and a contralateral arachnoid cyst in the middle cranial fossa (ACMCF). Chronic intracranial recording from subdural grid electrodes showed the left medial temporal lobe to be the ictal onset zone. After left anterior temporal lobectomy with hippocampectomy, seizure control was improved. ACMCF was not considered the direct cause of epilepsy; instead the seizures were attributed to hippocampal sclerosis.     

Clinical and EEG Features of Complex Partial Seizures of Temporal Lobe Origin

Summary: The electrographic and clinical behavioural manifestations of 96 temporal lobe seizures are reviewed from recordings in 19 patients who were submitted to stereotaxic depth electrode implantation in temporal and frontal lobes. Focal onset in hippocampus was recorded in 40% of the seizures. Sixty percent of temporal lobe seizures exhibited a regional seizure onset but in two-thirds of these ictal changes were restricted to amygdaloid and hippocampal structures. Thus, in approximately 80% of seizures, the onset of ictal EEG changes resided in the mesial temporal structures. The main behavioral manifestations observed during seizure discharge restricted to one temporal lobe included warning (67%), motionless stare (24%), automatism (22%), and head-body turning (24%). The predominant ictal behavioural manifestations observed during seizure spread to contralateral temporal and extratemporal structures included warning (3%), motionless stare (36%), automatism (77%), and head-body turning (81%). The direction of head turning did not provide reliable lateralization as to the side of seizure onset.     

Peri-ictal water drinking and other ictal vegetative symptoms: Localizing and lateralizing the epileptogenic zone in temporal lobe epilepsy? Two case reports and review of the literature

Peri-ictal behavior disorders can be helpful in localizing and lateralizing seizure onset in partial epilepsies, especially those originating in the temporal lobe. In this paper, we present the case of two right-handed women aged 36 and 42 years who presented with partial seizures of mesial temporal type. Both of the patients had drug resistant epilepsy and undergone presurgical evaluation tests including brain magnetic resonance imaging, video-EEG monitoring and neuropsychological testing. The two patients had hippocampal sclerosis in the right temporal lobe and exhibited PIWD behavior concomitant with right temporal lobe discharges documented during video-EEG recordings. Anterior temporal lobectomy was performed in one case with an excellent outcome after surgery. The patient was free of seizures at 3 years follow-up. We reviewed other publications of peri-ictal autonomic symptoms considered to have a lateralizing significance, such as peri-ictal vomiting, urinary urge, ictal pilo-erection. Clinicians should search for these symptoms, even if not spontaneously reported by the patient, because they are often under-estimated, both by the patients themselves and by physicians. Additionally, patients with lateralizing auras during seizures have a significantly better outcome after epilepsy surgery than those without lateralizing features.