Neuropsychological outcomes following stereotactic laser amygdalohippocampectomy

ObjectiveThe objective was to analyze neuropsychological testing data from 15 patients before and after stereotactic laser ablation surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy and to describe the seizure outcomes after stereotactic laser ablation surgery.MethodsA retrospective review of 15 patients who underwent stereotactic laser ablation and who also underwent neuropsychological testing before and after surgery was performed. Verbal and visual memory was assessed in all 15 patients using California Verbal Learning Test and Wechsler Memory Scale IV. Naming was assessed in 9 of 15 patients using the Boston Naming Test. Statistical analysis was performed to determine clinically significant changes using previously validated reliable change indices and proprietary Advanced Clinical Solutions software. Seizure outcome data were evaluated using Engel classification.ResultsPostsurgery neuropsychological evaluation demonstrated that all 15 patients experienced at least 1 clinically significant decline in either verbal or visual memory. Ten patients in this series, including five with dominant-hemisphere surgery, demonstrated decline in delayed memory for narrative information (Logical Memory II). By contrast, the Boston Naming Test demonstrated more favorable results after surgery. Two of nine patients demonstrated a clinically significant increase in naming ability, and only one of nine patients demonstrated a clinically significant decline in naming ability. With at least 6 months of follow-up after surgery, 33% reported seizure freedom.ConclusionStereotactic laser ablation can result in clinically significant and meaningful decline in verbal and visual memory when comparing patients to their own presurgical baseline. Naming ability, conversely, is much less likely to be impacted by stereotactic laser ablation and may improve after the procedure.     

The seizure outcome after amygdalohippocampectomy and temporal lobectomy

The aim of this study was to compare the seizure outcome of two different types of epilepsy surgery, selective amydalohippocampectomy (AHE) and anterior temporal lobectomy (ATLE) in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. We included 114 patients who had mesio-temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis or gliosis on histology. Patients had ATLE if the non-dominant hemisphere was affected or if the whole temporal lobe was atrophic. Patients had AHE if the dominant hemisphere was affected. Standardized seizure outcome at 1 year following surgery was used. Overall 40% of the 114 patients who had temporal lobe epilepsy surgery were seizure-free at 1-year (Engel's class Ia). A good outcome (Engel's classes I and II) was significantly more frequent in ATLE than in AHE. (66% and 44%, respectively, P  = 0.03). ATLE had a better seizure outcome than AHE.     

Functional neuroimaging predicts individual memory outcome after amygdalohippocampectomy

We examined memory-related activity within to-be-resected medial temporal lobe (MTL) structures in 12 epilepsy patients with PET before amygdalohippocampectomy and studied the reallocation of memory functions to the contralateral MTL before and after surgery. Learning tasks were designed to activate predominantly the right or left MTL. Those patients who significantly activated to-be-resected ipsilateral MTL structures during the ipsilateral learning task (i.e. the left MTL during verbal learning or the right MTL during nonverbal learning) experienced a postoperative memory decline. Preoperative activation in the contralateral MTL during the ipsilateral learning task positively correlated with the postoperative outcome for ipsilateral memory. There was no significant postoperative reallocation of ipsilateral memory functions to the contralateral MTL.     

Neuropsychological outcome after selective amygdalohippocampectomy: subtemporal versus transsylvian approach

Objective In the context of discussions on the optimal cognitive outcome of temporal lobe epilepsy surgery, and stimulated by recent reports on the beneficial effects of a selective subtemporal approach to memory function, this study evaluated the cognitive consequences of subtemporal versus transsylvian selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, taking verbal/figural memory and language functions into account. Methods We contrasted cognitive outcomes of 26 subtemporal SAH patients with those observed in a transsylvian SAH control group. The surgical groups were pairwise matched with regard to clinical and demographic characteristics. Preoperative and 1 year postoperative memory and language evaluations served as within group factors, and surgical approach (transsylvian vs subtemporal) and side of surgery (right vs left) as between group factors. Results Both surgical approaches caused decline in verbal memory to a similar degree. Differential effects were seen with regard to decline in verbal recognition memory (more affected by left transsylvian SAH) as well as in figural memory and verbal fluency (more affected by subtemporal SAH). Interpretation Different from previous optimistic reports, this study demonstrates that subtemporal surgery, such as transsylvian surgery, poses similar risks for verbal memory. Differences between the approaches appear to reflect the effect of different collateral temporal lobe lesions due to the approach. Different cognitive outcomes across studies on the subtemporal approach are discussed as being in part due to study design and the chosen dependent functional measures.     

Mesial atrophy and outcome after amygdalohippocampectomy or temporal lobe removal

We studied 74 consecutive patients with temporal lobe epilepsy who were treated surgically and in whom the volumes of mesial temporal structures were determined preoperatively by magnetic resonance imaging. We divided the patients into three groups according to the volumetric findings: unilateral (63.5% of the patients), bilateral (23%), or no atrophy (13.5%) of the amygdala–hippocampal formation. Two distinct surgical approaches were used: selective amygdalohippocampectomy (n = 37) or anterior temporal lobe resection (n = 37). Outcome was assessed at least 1 year after surgery, according to Engel's modified classification. Patients with unilateral mesial temporal atrophy had significantly better results compared with the other two groups (p < 0.001): We found excellent results (class I or II outcome) in 93.6% of the patients with unilateral atrophy, in 61.7% of those with bilateral atrophy, and in 50% of the group with no significant atrophy of mesial temporal structures. The two different surgical techniques were equally effective, regardless of the pattern of atrophy. In conclusion, magnetic resonance volumetric studies in temporal lobe epilepsy proved to be an important preoperative prognostic tool for surgical treatment, but they did not provide guidance for selecting one surgical approach compared to the other.     

Cognitive outcome after bacterial meningitis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term cognitive deficits in unselected patients with previously diagnosed meningitis and to compare these deficits to neurologic and psychopathologic impairment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two unselected patients (mean age 52.5 +/- 17.1 years) were examined neurologically, psychiatrically, and psychometrically 30 +/- 11 months after the acute stage of bacterial meningitis. Results of psychometric tests were compared with clinical long-term deficits. Psychometric tests were additionally applied on 17 healthy controls (mean age 49.2 +/- 14.2 years). RESULTS: Neurologic or psychopathologic symptoms were found in 16 patients. Psychometrically, the speed of cognitive processes and psychomotor performance, concentration, visuoconstructive capacity, and memory functions were reduced significantly in patients as compared to controls. Verbal intelligence was less affected than performance efficiency. Patients with pneumococcal meningitis had significantly lower test results than patients with other pathogens. The psychometric test results were only slightly related with clinical findings of the follow-up examination. CONCLUSION: Psychometric deficits are frequent after bacterial meningitis, and their relation with neurologic and psychopathologic symptoms is loose. The pattern of neuropsychologic impairment accentuates psychomotor slowing combined with memory disturbances, and resembles features observed in subcortical cognitive impairment.     

Neuropsychological outcome following minimal access subtemporal selective amygdalohippocampectomy

PurposeThe present study provides a detailed account of neurocognitive outcome following minimal access subtemporal selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) and establishes rates of neurocognitive decline in the largest sample to date. Use of a subtemporal surgical approach to SAH has been proposed to possibly reduce the risk for postoperative neurocognitive decline since lateral neocortical tissues is not resected and the temporal stem is preserved. The current study extends prior research with subtemporal SAH patients to include not only group level analyses but also analyses based on reliable change data.MethodsNeurocognitive comparisons are made between 47 patients that underwent subtemporal SAH. Statistical comparisons were made between neurocognitive performance at the group level and with use of reliable change scores.ResultsApproximately 75% of patients were seizure free postoperatively. At the group level, there were no significant postoperative changes. For the left SAH patients, reliable change scores demonstrated a decline in approximately one third of patients for memory, verbal intellect, and naming. Right SAH patients showed decline primarily in memory.ConclusionsThese results indicated good seizure control following subtemporal SAH with greatest risk for neurocognitive decline following dominant SAH and best cognitive outcome following non-dominant SAH. Findings demonstrated the importance of reliable change analyses that make individual based comparisons and take into account measurement error. Despite preservation of the lateral neocortical tissue and the temporal stem, subtemporal SAH presents a risk for cognitive decline in a notable portion of patients.     

Memory outcome after selective amygdalohippocampectomy in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy: one-year follow-up

Summary:  Purpose: In a previous study we reported clinically significant memory declines 3 months after selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) in 140 patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, particularly if the resection was left-sided. We supposed that the observed postoperative impairments might have reflected acute effects of surgery. Therefore we evaluated in the present study whether a recovery can be found 1 year after surgery.
Methods: Verbal and nonverbal memory functions were assessed in 115 patients before and 3 and 12 months after unilateral SAH.
Results: No recovery of postoperative verbal memory declines was found in the left-SAH group. Clinically meaningful losses were still evident in 33 to 50% of patients. In right-SAH patients, a recovery of verbal memory was indicated, and effects of surgical complications were no longer evident. One year after surgery, the corresponding preoperative performance was the only significant predictor of a postoperative change in the left-SAH group.
Conclusions: Verbal memory decline observed 3 months after left SAH is persistent 1 year after surgery. Declines in verbal memory, which were observed in some right-SAH patients at the short-term follow-up, seem to be temporary.     

Bilateral stereotactic radiofrequency amygdalohippocampectomy for a patient with bilateral temporal lobe epilepsy

To search for a method for treatment of bilateral temporal lobe epilepsy (BTLE), we report one patient with BTLE experienced bilateral stereotactic radiofrequency amygdalohippocampectomy (SAHE). Neuropsychological examinations were performed before and 5 days, and 6, 18, and 48 months after operation. No seizure occurred in the follow‐up time, and no long‐term memory and intelligence deficits were found except for a transient decline of the scores immediately after operation. Because severe damage of memory could be caused by bilateral resection surgery, bilateral SAHE should be considered as a possible approach for the treatment of BTLE. However, further studies with accumulation of cases are needed, especially in the detailed assessment of neuropsychological function.     

Memory outcome after selective amygdalohippocampectomy: a study in 140 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

PURPOSE: The technique of selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) was originally developed in epilepsy surgery to spare unaffected brain tissue from surgery, thus minimizing the cognitive consequences of temporal lobe surgery. The results of previous studies, however, are equivocal in this regard. This study evaluated memory after SAH in a large sample of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. METHODS: The 140 patients received material-specific memory tests before and 3 months after unilateral SAH. RESULTS: Significant declines in all aspects of verbal learning and memory were found particularly for the left resected group. With reliability-of-change indices, a high number of patients showed postoperative verbal memory declines, < or = 51% in left SAH and < or = 32% in right SAH. For left SAH, a higher preoperative verbal memory performance, a lower preoperative nonverbal memory score, an older age at surgery, and a later onset of epilepsy predicted a stronger decline in verbal memory. After right SAH, the risk for a verbal memory decline was slightly increased when patients had surgical complications or a presurgical evaluation with bilateral intrahippocampal depth electrodes. Results concerning nonverbal memory were less clear. CONCLUSIONS: The results clearly indicate, that particularly left SAH can lead to a significant decline in memory functions. Predictors of postoperative verbal memory were similar to those reported for temporal lobectomy. Postoperative deteriorations were broader and stronger in our study than in previous studies. We discuss methodologic differences (sample size, retest interval, extent of resection) and other factors as possible reasons.     

Limbic system abnormalities associated with Ammon's horn sclerosis do not alter seizure outcome after amygdalohippocampectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether limbic system abnormalities associated with Ammon's horn sclerosis alter seizure outcome after selective amgydalohippocampectomy. METHODS: In 45 patients with unilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, histologically proven Ammon's horn sclerosis, and uneventful postoperative course, volumes of the hippocampus, hemisphere, amygdala, entorhinal cortex, mamillary body, and fornix were measured by using a T(1)-weighted 3-D gradient-echo sequence with roughly isotropic (1.17 x 1.17 x 1-mm) voxels. In addition, signal intensity of the hippocampus and of the temporal lobe white matter was visually assessed and graded on a coronal T(2)-weighted fast-spin-echo sequence with 2-mm-thick slices. Volumetric measurements and visual analysis were compared between seizure-free and non-seizure-free patients examined 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Hippocampal, hemispheric, entorhinal cortex, mamillary body, and fornix volumes, but not amygdalar volumes, were significantly smaller on the operated-on than on the non-operated-on side and significantly smaller in patients compared with controls. No volume differences of the hippocampus, hemisphere, amygdala, entorhinal cortex, mamillary body, and fornix existed between seizure-free (Engel class IA) and non-seizure-free patients (Engel class IB-IV). Increased temporal lobe white matter signal was observed in 15 patients but did not alter seizure outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Limbic system abnormalities are not a surrogate marker to predict postsurgical seizure outcome in patients with unilateral Ammon's horn sclerosis.     

Cognitive outcome in adults after bacterial meningitis

Objective

To evaluate cognitive outcome in adult survivors of bacterial meningitis.

Methods

Data from three prospective multicentre studies were pooled and reanalysed, involving 155 adults surviving bacterial meningitis (79 after pneumococcal and 76 after meningococcal meningitis) and 72 healthy controls.

Results

Cognitive impairment was found in 32% of patients and this proportion was similar for survivors of pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis. Survivors of pneumococcal meningitis performed worse on memory tasks (p<0.001) and tended to be cognitively slower than survivors of meningococcal meningitis (p = 0.08). We found a diffuse pattern of cognitive impairment in which cognitive speed played the most important role. Cognitive performance was not related to time since meningitis; however, there was a positive association between time since meningitis and self‐reported physical impairment (p<0.01). The frequency of cognitive impairment and the numbers of abnormal test results for patients with and without adjunctive dexamethasone were similar.

Conclusions

Adult survivors of bacterial meningitis are at risk of cognitive impairment, which consists mainly of cognitive slowness. The loss of cognitive speed is stable over time after bacterial meningitis; however, there is a significant improvement in subjective physical impairment in the years after bacterial meningitis. The use of dexamethasone was not associated with cognitive impairment.The estimated annual incidence of bacterial meningitis is 4–6 per 100 000 adults and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) are the causative bacteria in 80% of cases.^1,2 Fatality rates in patients with pneumococcal meningitis (26%) and meningococcal meningitis (7%) are significant.^1,2,3 Even in patients with apparent good recovery, cognitive impairment occurs frequently,⁴ especially after pneumococcal meningitis.^4,5,6 The cognitive functions affected by bacterial meningitis differ between studies, most likely because of the limited numbers of patients examined, and the lack of uniformity across studies in assessment methods and in the definition of cognitive impairment.^{4,5,6,7,8,9,10} We therefore pooled data on cognitive outcome after bacterial meningitis from three of our previous studies to more clearly determine which cognitive functions are affected by bacterial meningitis and to identify which patients are at risk of developing cognitive impairment.     

Cognitive outcome after epilepsy surgery in children

The ultimate goal of epilepsy surgery in young children is to stop seizures, interrupt the downhill course of the epileptic encephalopathy, and improve developmental capacities. Postoperative outcome after childhood epilepsy surgery should therefore not only be expressed in terms of seizure freedom, cognitive outcome is an equally important outcome measure. Insight in the mutually dependent variables that can determine pre and postoperative cognitive developmental abilities will improve prediction of outcome and presurgical counseling of parents. The purpose of this review is to discuss the literature regarding cognitive outcome and the predictors of postoperative cognitive functioning after epilepsy surgery in children, particularly those with “catastrophic” epilepsy. There are only few studies in which the relation between possible determinants and cognitive outcome or change was statistically tested in a multivariable manner. Duration of epilepsy, presurgical Developmental Quotient (DQ) or Intelligence Quotient (IQ), and postoperative seizure freedom were the only factors reported in different studies to be independently related to eventual cognitive outcome after epilepsy surgery. Underlying etiology, gender, age at surgery, presurgical DQ/IQ, postoperative seizure freedom, cessation of antiepileptic medication, and follow-up interval have all been described in different surgical cohorts to be independently related to a postoperative change of IQ or DQ scores. To appreciate how each of the pre-epileptic, presurgical, and postoperative variables may independently influence eventual cognitive outcome and postoperative cognitive improvement, we need multicenter studies with large homogenous surgical populations, using standardized tests and multivariable analyses.     

Emergence of hyper empathy after right amygdalohippocampectomy

We report a fascinating case of a patient with a hyper empathy that appeared after resective epilepsy surgery. This behavioral modification has remained unchanged since the surgery took place 13 years ago. Recent neuropsychological objective assessments confirmed hyper empathy in a self-report questionnaire, and revealed higher affective theory of mind than controls in a “Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task.” Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common form of epilepsy and the investigation of emotional processes after surgery in these patients deserves to be related.     

Cognitive outcome after extratemporal epilepsy surgery in childhood

Purpose: The present study aims to describe the cognitive profile of children with medically refractory extratemporal epilepsies who undergo focal surgery and to identify determinants for preoperative and postoperative cognitive level. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Children who underwent operations between 1997 and 2008 with a focal lesion in frontal, parietal, or occipital cortices and with a presurgical or postsurgical cognitive evaluation, were eligible for the study. Key Findings: Sixty‐six children (53% male) with a mean age of 9.3 ± 8.8 years were enrolled. The overall full‐scale IQ (FSIQ) at cognitive testing was 77.4 ± 44.4 before surgery. Children did not show any significant change in their FSIQ after surgery. Duration of presurgical epilepsy, age at epilepsy onset, etiology, and gender were found to be independently associated with lower FSIQ before surgery. Presurgical cognitive level was the only factor independently associated with postsurgical FSIQ. Overall, 51.5% of children who underwent surgery were seizure‐free; however, the good postsurgical epilepsy control did not seem to influence the cognitive outcome. Significance: Children with extratemporal lobe epilepsy are below the normal cognitive level range. Intellectual abilities of children undergoing surgery are determined independently by presurgical factors and surgery does not seem to affect the cognitive level in the postsurgical period, even for those who become free from clinical seizures.     

Antiepileptic drug treatment before and after selective amygdalohippocampectomy

Retrospectively, we analyzed pre and postoperative (po) AED treatment in relation to long-term annual seizure outcome in the Zurich selective amygdalohippocampectomy (AHE) series. In 376 patients (hippocampal sclerosis ("HS"), n:185; other lesions ("lesional"), n:191) with a follow-up of more than 1 year, in the last available outcome (lao), 60% were seizure- and aura-free (ILAE Class 1). During the year prior to surgery, in the "HS" group a mean of 2.3 +/- 0.8 AEDs were taken. The percentage of patients without AEDs increases to 36.1% in the po years 1-5 (po year 5: "HS" (n:133) 27.8%; "lesional" (n:111) 45.9%). In po years 7-11 this percentage is between 40 and 43% (po year 10: "HS" (n:75) 29.3%; "lesional" (n:65) 55.4%). In the ILAE Class 1a, at po year 5 63/85 (74.1%) patients have discontinued AED intake. At lao 36.2% of patients were off AEDs and additional 18.9% had a "substantial" reduction (i.e. from polytherapy to monotherapy, or a reduction of the existing monotherapy by at least 66% compared to the year before AHE). The relapse rate is similar for patients who were free of disabling seizures (a) for > or =1 year and without AEDs (17.1%), (b) immediately after surgery with or without AEDs (18.4%), and (c) had a "substantial" AED reduction over the entire follow-up period (18.9%). The rate of re-gained full seizure control, however, is significantly better for group (b) compared to (c) (77% versus 53%). 10.9% of patients showed the "running down phenomenon," i.e. had seizures during the first po year, but then became seizure-free for 1 or more years. The percentage of patients free of "disabling" seizures, who did not follow the medical advice to discontinue/reduce AEDs, is about 30% after the 10th po year. In the 15th po year this figure is 4.2 times higher for "HS" versus "lesional" patients. We conclude that the time of discontinuation of AEDs after AHE should be tailored based on the results of the presurgical evaluation, the early po seizure outcome, the histopathological findings, the intraoperative ECoG findings and the po EEG. In an optimal constellation, "substantial" AED reduction with the goal of a monotherapy can be advised 1 year and discontinuation 2 years after surgery.     

立体定向毁损术治疗精神发育迟滞伴行为障碍的长期疗效观察

目的 探讨立体定向杏仁核联合内囊前肢毁损治疗精神发育迟滞( Mental Retardation,MR)伴有的行为障碍(冲动、攻击、自伤、毁物)的临床长期疗效和安全性.方法 2007年9月～2009年6月收治的33例MR伴冲动、攻击、自伤、毁物行为障碍患者,均符合ICD-10和DSM-Ⅳ的诊断标准.治疗靶点选择内囊前肢和杏仁核,采用可视靶点CT定位.全麻下头皮切口,钻孔切开硬脑膜,直径2.0 mm毁损电极穿刺,毁损前行宏刺激确定非功能区后,进行毁损灶的制作,参数80℃、60 s.术前、术后6、12、24个月由精神科医师应用临床总评量表(CGI)和儿童攻击行为量表(CAS- P)对治疗效果进行评定,采用韦氏智力量表(WIS)评定智商.结果 (1)术后24个月CGI量表评定结果显示,33例患者总有效率为91.5％,其中优5例(15.1％),显著进步16例(57.6％),进步9例(21.2％),无变化3例(6.1％);(2)术前CAS-P评分平均为(67.00±10.95)分,术后6个月为(15.20±1.62)分,24个月后为(16.30±1.64)分,与术前比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01);(3)术前WIS评分为(35.88±14.60)分,术后24个月为(36.24±12.35)分,虽有所提高,但差异无统计学意义;(4)安全性评估:脑内血肿1例,经治疗完全康复;偏瘫1例经康复治疗明显好转;术后高热3例;性欲亢进2例;食欲亢进2例,经治疗均于2周内恢复.结论 立体定向杏仁核联合内囊前肢毁损术治疗MR伴有的行为障碍(冲动、攻击、自伤和毁物)安全、有效,长期疗效稳定.