手术对颞叶癫痫病人认知功能的影响

目的 探讨手术对颞叶癫痫病人认知功能的影响。方法 回顾性分析2017年1月至2020年1月手术治疗的60例颞叶癫痫的临床资料。38例采用前颞叶切除术（ATL）治疗,22例采用选择性海马杏仁核切除术（SAH）治疗。术后6个月,采用Engle分级评估预后。术前、术后6个月由专业人员采用面对面形式完成认知功能评估,采用韦氏智力测验量表测试智商;术前记忆量表甲套+术后乙套测验记忆功能,采用记忆商数（MQ）评估记忆功能。结果 术后6个月,Engle分级Ⅰ级35例,Ⅱ级20例,Ⅳ级5例。术后6个月,两组MQ和智商均明显增高（P<0.05）,而且,SAH组术后MQ明显高于ALT组（P<0.05）。结论 手术治疗可以改善颞叶癫痫病人的智商和记忆功能,SAH优于ATL。     

无框架立体定向海马杏仁核毁损术治疗颞叶内侧癫痫的神经心理学评估

目的了解无框架立体定向海马杏仁核毁损术在治疗颞叶内侧癫痫中对神经心理学功能的影响。方法 61名MRI阴性药物难治性颞叶癫痫患者在全麻下行经额旁正中入路无框架立体定向海马杏仁核复合体毁损术;其中23例成人患者分别在术前、术后一周及术后6个月进行了韦氏记忆量表及韦氏智力量表检测评分。结果回访时间14～82个月不等,EngelⅠ级31例,Ⅱ级3例,Ⅲ级8例,Ⅳ级19例,痫性发作消失率(EngelⅠ)51%。手术前受试者的平均记忆商数、平均智力商数都明显低于健康人群中常值范围。术后一周较术前下降(P<0.05)的有语言智商、操作智商及记忆商数,总智商下降不明显(P>0.05);术后6个月以后受试者较术前明显增加(P<0.05)的有总智商、语言智商、操作智商及记忆商数。右颞叶内侧毁损者言语智商较术前明显增加(P<0.05)。结论无框架立体定向海马杏仁核毁损术术后早期存在记忆力及智力下降,但此类认知功能的下降程度较轻,且会在术后6个月内恢复甚至较术前明显改善,远期来讲右侧手术者其语言智商改善更为明显。无框架立体定向海马杏仁核毁损术在神经心理学功能保留方面是可逆的、甚至是有益的。     

海马横切术对颞叶癫痫患者认知及记忆功能的影响

目的观察海马横切术对顽固性颞叶内侧型癫痫的治疗效果及其对认知及记忆功能的影响。方法对同一位术者实施的8例海马横切术及10例前颞叶切除术的各项基本资料(癫痫病程,患者年龄,性别等),术前检查(头颅核磁检查,视频脑电起源灶定位),癫痫控制率以及术前、术后神经心理学检查(包括韦氏智力检查:言语智商、操作智商、总智商,以及记忆商)结果进行统计分析。结果海马横切术组与前颞叶切除术组基本资料及术前检查均无明显差异。2组术后患者癫痫控制率均在80%以上,无明显统计学差异。海马横切术组术前及术后2周神经心理学检查结果比较:言语智商、操作智商、总智商、记忆商均无显著差异(P0.05);而前颞叶切除术组所有商值均显著降低(P0.05);针对两组神经心理学检查术前与术后差值比较,记忆商下降程度有明显差异(P0.05)。结论海马横切术在有效控制癫痫发作的同时对患者智力及记忆损害较小。与前颞叶切除术相比,海马横切术对患者的记忆功能有较好的保护作用,对于顽固性颞叶内侧型癫痫是一种值得提倡和推广的外科术式。     

颞叶癫痫认知下降特点及其相关因素分析

目的:比较颞叶癫痫海马硬化者和非海马硬化者之间认知的差别,并分析颞叶癫痫患者认知下降的相关性因素。方法:收集110例颞叶癫痫患者临床资料,包括发病年龄、病程、发作情况;用修订韦氏记忆和韦氏智力量表来评价患者的记忆和智力水平;总结手术后患者的病理资料以确定患者是否伴有海马硬化。结果:伴有海马硬化颞叶癫痫患者的长期记忆和总记忆商分别为37．4±10．0,81．8±19．1;非海马硬化颞叶癫痫患者的长期记忆和总记忆商分别为42．0±8．2,88．3±13．4,伴有海马硬化颞叶癫痫患者的长期记忆和总记忆商显著低于非海马硬化颞叶癫痫患者的长期记忆和总记忆商(P值分别为0．01和0．049)。左侧起源与右侧起源的颞叶癫痫患者的语言智商分别为88．9±9．8和95．0±11．4,二者相比有显著性差异(P=0．013<0．05)。颞叶癫痫患者的总记忆商与癫痫病程呈负相关(r=-0．256,P=0．007<0．01),操作智商与癫痫发作频率呈负相关(r=-0．206,P=0．031<0．05),总智商与教育程度呈正相关(r=0．189,P=0．048<0．05)。结论:海马硬化的颞叶癫痫患者比非海马硬化的颞叶癫痫患者具有更差的长期记忆和总记忆商,左侧起源的颞叶癫痫患者比右侧起源的颞叶癫痫患者语言智商损伤更明显。颞叶癫痫患者病程越长其记忆商越差;癫痫发作越频繁其操作智商越差;教育对保护颞叶癫痫患者的智能有一定的作用。     

前颞叶切除术对颞叶癫痫病人认知功能的影响

目的分析不同侧别前颞叶切除手术对颞叶癫痫(TLE)病人认知功能的影响。方法回顾性分析2014~2015年行标准单侧前颞叶及内侧结构切除的44例TLE的临床资料,分析术前及术后1年韦氏智力分测验即言语智商(VIQ)、操作智商(PIQ),以及术前、术后3个月、术后1年复查韦氏记忆量表(MQ)中的理解和再生分测验结果。结果左侧手术TLE病人术后1年PIQ较术前显著提升(P0.05),右侧手术TLE病人术后1年MQ较术前显著提升(P0.05)。左侧手术TLE病人术后3个月理解分测验分数较术前明显下降(P0.05),术后1年与术前无显著性差异(P0.05);再生分测验分数术后3个月较术前无明显变化(P0.05),术后1年较术前明显提升(P0.05)。右侧手术TLE病人理解分数和再生分数手术前后均无显著差异(P0.05)。结论左侧颞叶手术主要改善TLE病人PIQ,而右侧颞叶手术则主要改善TLE病人记忆力。     

不同术式选择对颞叶癫痫患者术后记忆功能影响的初步探讨

目的探讨不同术式选择对颞叶癫痫患者术后记忆功能的影响。方法 2009~2013年共248例海马硬化性颞叶癫痫患者在我院接受手术治疗,其中83例行标准前颞叶切除术(anterior temporal lobectomy,ATL),165例行选择性海马杏仁核切除术(selective amygdalohippocampectomy,SAH)。患者在术前、术后3个月及术后两年分别接受临床记忆功能评估。结果 ATL组和SAH组优势半球侧手术的患者临床记忆商数(memory quotient,MQ)在术后3个月(74.5±16.2,75.6±19.5)均有明显下降(P0.05),术后两年(75.1±14.1,76.1±17.6)略有恢复但仍然显著低于术前(82.9±15.8,83.2±21.2)(P0.05),其中SAH组术后3个月及术后两年相较术前MQ的减低程度都小于ATL组(7.6 vs.8.4;7.1 vs.7.8);ATL组和SAH组非优势半球侧手术的患者术后3个月的MQ(87.2±15.1,88.1±16.9)均高于术前(85.5±13.5,85.3±19.7),但无统计学意义,至术后两年时,两组患者的MQ(92.8±12.7,93.7±17.1)对比术前都有了显著的改善(P0.05),其中SAH组患者的改善幅度较ATL组略大(8.4 vs.7.3)。结论相比于ATL,SAH可能更有利于保护海马硬化性颞叶癫痫患者的术后记忆功能。     

额颞癫痫术前评估脑磁图与神经导航应用研究

目的研究脑磁图(MEG)与神经导航在额颞癫痫术前评估中的应用。方法选取手术治疗32例额颞癫痫患者临床资料分析。患者术前行致痫灶定位和智商、记忆和语言评估;MEG确定语言、记忆优势半球,明确语言功能区范围和记忆功能情况。术中应用美国Medtronic Stealhealth S7手术导航系统引导手术切除病变和致痫灶,保护神经功能。术后1年复测智商、记忆和语言检查,统计分析手术前后数据。癫痫术后随访13～41个月,平均(24.7±3.61)个月,依照Engel's分级标准,判定癫痫术后疗效。结果 32例额颞癫痫患者MEG检查顺利。MEG能够精确定位语言功能区位置。其中22例语言优势半球为左侧,10例在右侧。术后1年复测智商、记忆和语言,统计显示言语智商与总智商提高(P0.05),记忆商、操作智商无明显变化(P0.05)。患者术后恢复良好,无语言、记忆及肢体功能损伤。癫痫疗效:Engel'sI级15例,Engel'sⅡ级14例;Engel'sⅢ级3例。结论 MEG联合神经导航对于额颞癫痫患者术前语言和记忆优势半球的定侧、定位和制定手术计划,保护皮质功能、避免严重术后并发症,提高癫痫手术疗效具有重要价值。     

难治性颞叶内侧癫痫外科治疗对项目记忆和源记忆的影响研究

目的 探讨外科治疗对难治性颞叶内侧癫痫患者短期内的项目记忆及源记忆的影响.方法 对18例诊断为难治性颞叶内侧癫痫患者,行选择性海马杏仁核切除术(其中左侧7例,右侧11例),并在手术前及手术后3个月选用实义词和实物简图分别进行项目记忆和源记忆测试,对结果进行分析.结果 所有患者随访3～12个月,平均6.78个月,疗效满意13例(72.2%),显著改善4例(22.2%),良好1例(5.6%);颞叶内侧癫痫患者手术治疗前和术后3个月的项目记忆指标值分别为0.7609±0.1225和0.6296±0.1313,源记忆指标值分别为0.7384±0.1369和0.6806±0.1533,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).左侧患者手术治疗前和术后3个月的项目记忆指标值分别为0.7576±0.0763和0.6580±0.0834,源记忆指标值分别为0.7024±0.1432和0.5952±0.1950,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).右侧患者手术治疗前和术后3月的项目记忆指标值分别为0.7631±0.1483和0.6116±0.1556,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),而源记忆指标值分别为0.7614±0.1345和0.7348±0.0937,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 外科治疗难治性颞叶内侧癫痫效果满意,短期内可能会造成患者的项目记忆和源记忆损害,特别是对左侧手术患者的影响较大,而对右侧手术患者的影响主要表现为项目记忆损害.     

颞叶内侧癫痫病人的项目记忆和源记忆的神经心理学研究

目的检验内侧颞叶参与源记忆执行的假说及源记忆与项目记忆相互分离的假说。方法选用实义词和实物简图,测试20名健康志愿者（对照组）和18名内侧颞叶癫痫（mesial temporal lole epilepsy,MTLE）行选择性海马杏仁核切除的病人（病例组）,手术前、手术后3个月的项目记忆和源记忆,并对结果进行分析。结果病例组与对照组比较,MTLE病人术前源记忆差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,而项目记忆差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;术后源记忆和项目记忆差异均有显著统计学意义（P〈0.01）。与对照组比较,行左侧选择性海马杏仁核切除的MTLE病人,术前源记忆差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）,项目记忆差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;术后源记忆和项目记忆均有显著统计学意义（P〈0.01）。与对照组比较,行右侧选择性海马杏仁核切除的MTLE病人。术前源记忆和项目记忆差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;术后源记忆差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,而项目记忆差异有显著统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论内侧颞叶参与源记忆执行,源记忆与项目记忆存在相互分离,且左右侧具有不对称性。     

海马横切术与选择性海马杏仁核切除术的有效性及安全性比较

目的比较海马横切术与选择性海马杏仁核切除术对顽固性颞叶内侧型癫疒间病人的治疗效果及其对认知、记忆功能的影响。方法回顾性分析19例顽固性颞叶内侧型癫疒间病人的临床资料,其中8例采用海马横切术(观察组),11例采用选择性海马杏仁核切除术(对照组)。分析比较两组病人的术后癫疒间控制率以及手术前后神经心理学检查结果。结果两组术后癫疒间控制率无明显统计学差异(P0.05)。观察组手术前后操作智商(performance intelligence quotient,PIQ)、语言智商(verbal intelligence quotient,VIQ)、总智商(full intelligence quotient,FIQ)、记忆商(memory quotient,MQ)均无统计学差异(P0.05)。对照组病人术后PIQ、FIQ、MQ均明显低于术前(P0.05),两组病人在手术前后MQ差值方面的差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论海马横切术可有效控制癫疒间发作,同时对病人神经心理学功能无明显损害,尤其可以较好地保留病人的记忆功能。     

前颞叶切除术或选择性海马杏仁核切除术治疗顽固性内侧颞叶癫痫患者神经心理功能改变的研究

目的 探讨前颞叶切除术(ATL)或选择性海马杏仁核切除术(SAH)治疗顽固性内侧颞叶癫痫(MTLE)患者神经心理功能的改变情况。方法 选择2010年1月-2014年12月来本院接受ATL或SAH治疗的MTLE患者60例; 根据MTLE手术部位分为左颞部MTLE组(n=35)和右颞部MTLE组(n=25); 利用神经心理功能评分系统(DST、VMPT、WMSLM、WMS视觉、BNT、视觉技能、Stroop、WCST、分类、VFT)对患者术前及术后1年神经心理功能进行评分,比较2组患者左右颞部手术前后神经心理测试及手术前后左右颞部神经心理测试差异。结果 60例MTLE患者中35例(58.33%)左颞部MTLE,25例(41.67%)右颞部MTLE; 2组患者在性别、年龄、手术方式、癫痫发作平均年龄、病程、术前WAIS评分方面无显著性差异(P>0.05); 2组患者左右颞部手术前后神经心理测试比较显示,右颞部MTLE组术后在最大学习得分、短时记忆得分、长时记忆得分、第5卡片时间、矫正、转换错误方面与术前比较有显著差异(P<0.05); 左颞部MTLE组术后在合计得分方面与术前比较有显著差异(P<0.05); 2组患者手术前后左右颞部神经心理测试比较显示,左颞部MTLE组在回忆得分、识别得分、短时记忆得分方面显著高于右颞部MTLE组(P<0.05)。结论 尽管ATL或SAH治疗顽固性MTLE患者会引起部分常见的认知副作用,但该手术治疗也可提高患者部分认知功能。     

Cognitive outcome after stereotactic amygdalohippocampectomy

PurposeWe sought to determine the neuropsychological outcome after stereotactic radiofrequency amygdalohippocampectomy performed for intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.MethodsThe article describes the cases of 31 patients who were evaluated using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised and the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised prior to, and one year after, surgery.Key findingsPatients showed increases in their mean Full Scale, Verbal and Performance IQ scores of 4, 3 and 4 IQ points respectively (p < .05). 5 (17.2%), 4 (13.8%) and 4 (13.3%) patients improved in their Full-scale, Verbal and Performance IQ respectively. No significant changes were found in memory performance – with a mean increase of 1, 3 and 0 MQ points in Global, Verbal and Visual memory respectively (p < .05). Global memory improved in 3 (10.3%) patients, verbal memory in 1 (3.4%) and 1 patient (3.3%) showed deterioration in visual memory.SignificanceOur results provide evidence for unchanged memory in patients with MTLE after the procedure. No verbal memory deterioration was detected in any of our patients, while improvements were found in intellectual performance. The results suggest that stereotactic radiofrequency amygdalahippocampectomy could be superior to open surgery in terms of its neurocognitive outcomes. A larger randomised trial of these approaches is justified.     

抑郁症首次发病患者认知功能的研究

目的探讨抑郁症首次发病(以下简称首发)患者的认知功能特点及其影响因素。方法采用韦氏成人智力量表、韦氏记忆量表、威斯康星卡片分类测验(WCST)分别评定116例首发抑郁症患者(抑郁症组)和41名健康人(对照组)的认知状况,采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表(24项,HAMD)评定病情严重程度。对影响神经心理学测验成绩的临床症状进行逐步多元回归分析。结果(1)抑郁症组的长时记忆[(35.28±7.27)分]、短时记忆[(51.32±13.41)分]、记忆商数[(89.46±17.84)]、语言智商数[(110.96±13.72)]、操作智商数[101.90±15.98)]、智商数[(107.41±15.78)]均明显低于对照组[长时记忆(44.05±5.06)分,短时记忆(71.41±8.51)分,记忆商数(121.90±11.26),语言智商数(117.49±10.99),操作智商数(117.24±10.54),智商数[(118.98±10.95)],差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.01)。抑郁症组的WCST总测验数[(74.70±27.96)个]、持续错误数[(26.07±15.31)个]、随机错误数[(24.46±17.54)个]均明显高于对照组[WCST总测验数(60.15±23.05)个,持续错误数(17.56±11.44)个,随机错误数(17.73±14.27)个],差异有统计学意义(P<0.01或<0.05)。抑郁症组长时记忆成绩、短时记忆成绩和记忆商数低于对照组2个标准差。(2)逐步多元回归分析显示,抑郁症患者的长时记忆成绩及记忆商数与绝望感因子分均呈负相关(均P=0.00),短时记忆成绩和即刻记忆成绩与阻滞因子分均呈负相关(均P=0.00),语言智商与焦虑/躯体化因子分呈负相关(P=0.01),操作智商及智商与HAMD总分均呈负相关(均P=0.01),WCST总测验数和持续错误数与HAMD总分均呈正相关(P=0.01,P=0.02),随机错误数与阻滞因子分呈正相关(P=0.02)。结论首发抑郁症患者急性期的记忆、语言智商、操作智商和执行功能明显减退,临床症状严重程度影响认知功能的改变。     

Long-term postoperative atrophy of contralateral hippocampus and cognitive function in unilateral refractory MTLE with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate long-term atrophy in contralateral hippocampal volume after surgery for unilateral MTLE, as well as the cognitive outcome for patients submitted to either selective transsylvian amygdalohippocampectomy (SelAH) or anterior temporal lobe resection (ATL).MethodsWe performed a longitudinal study of 47 patients with MRI signs of unilateral hippocampal sclerosis (23 patients with right-sided hippocampal sclerosis) who underwent surgical treatment for MTLE. They underwent preoperative/postoperative high-resolution MRI as well as neuropsychological assessment for memory and estimated IQ. To investigate possible changes in the contralateral hippocampus of patients, we included 28 controls who underwent two MRIs at long-term intervals.ResultsThe volumetry using preoperative MRI showed significant hippocampal atrophy ipsilateral to the side of surgery when compared with controls (p < 0.0001) but no differences in contralateral hippocampal volumes. The mean postoperative follow-up was 8.7 years (± 2.5 SD; median = 8.0). Our patients were classified as Engel I (80%), Engel II (18.2%), and Engel III (1.8%). We observed a small but significant reduction in the contralateral hippocampus of patients but no volume changes in controls. Most of the patients presented small declines in both estimated IQ and memory, which were more pronounced in patients with left TLE and in those with persistent seizures. Different surgical approaches did not impose differences in seizure control or in cognitive outcome.ConclusionsWe observed small declines in cognitive scores with most of these patients, which were worse in patients with left-sided resection and in those who continued to suffer from postoperative seizures. We also demonstrated that manual volumetry can reveal a reduction in volume in the contralateral hippocampus, although this change was mild and could not be detected by visual analysis. These new findings suggest that dynamic processes continue to act after the removal of the hippocampus, and further studies with larger groups may help in understanding the underlying mechanisms.     

Comparison of neuropsychological outcomes after selective amygdalohippocampectomy versus anterior temporal lobectomy

Transsylvian selective amygdalohippocampectomy (TSA) is an operative technique designed to spare unaffected brain tissue during surgical treatment for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. In contrast to standard anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL), the advantages of TSA with respect to postoperative cognitive outcome are equivocal. We compared cognitive function before and after surgery in 49 patients with unilateral mesial temporal lobe seizures who underwent either ATL (n=17) or TSA (n=32). All patients received neuropsychological testing before and 1 year after surgery. The intelligence quotient (IQ) increased postoperatively in both surgical groups. Memory evaluation in the ATL group revealed a postoperative decline in nonverbal memory after right-sided resection and a postoperative decline in verbal memory after left-sided resection. In the TSA group, there was a slight postoperative decline only in verbal memory after left-sided resection, but other memory function was well preserved. In particular, there was significant postoperative improvement in verbal memory after right-sided resection. Overall, memory function was better preserved in the TSA group than in the ATL group.     

Short-term cognitive changes after surgery in patients with unilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis

We investigated the short-term postoperative cognitive function of patients with unilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE/HS). Fourteen unilateral MTLE/HS patients who had undergone selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) or anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) were enrolled. Cognitive functions related to the frontal and temporal lobes were evaluated using a battery of neuropsychological tests administered before surgery and 3 months after surgery. The battery included the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), Boston Naming Test (BNT), Stroop Color-Word Test (TST), Trail Making Test (TMT) and Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). MTLE/HS patients demonstrated significantly improved postoperative performance on the TST regardless of the surgical method or side of resection. There was no significant difference in any of the other neuropsychological tests before and after surgery. After left-side resection, performance on the VFT and the TMT-B was worse than at baseline. After right-side resection, performance on the VFT and WMS short-term memory improved; however, these differences were not statistically significant. SAH patients exhibited improved TST performance but worse TMT-A performance; however, performance on all tests was not significantly different after surgery in ATL patients. In summary, MTLE/HS patients demonstrated improved frontal lobe-related cognitive function after surgery, but no such improvement in temporal lobe-related function was observed. Based on cognitive evaluation, right-sided MTLE/HS patients may be more appropriate surgical candidates than left-sided MTLE/HS patients. SAH may not be better than ATL in improving cognitive function. We hypothesise that postoperative cognitive changes depend on whether the excised cerebral regions are related to the neuropsychological functions examined by specific assessment instruments.     

Correlation between 1H MRS and memory before and after surgery in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis

PURPOSE: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS), which can demonstrate neuronal loss and gliosis, may be used as a sensitive tool for lateralization of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Although the correlation between the memory functions and 1H MRS has been investigated, its predictive value after surgery has not been studied previously. This study evaluated memory and 1H MRS values of medically intractable patients with mesial TLE and hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE-HS) before and after selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH). METHODS: Twenty-two patients underwent memory tests and 1H MRS investigation before and 6 months after SAH and were compared with nine control subjects. RESULTS: The 1H MRS scores were found to be significantly low on the pathological side of the patients. Both right-sided 1H MRS of right TLE and left-sided 1H MRS values of left TLE patients were correlated only with verbal memory scores. Statistical analysis did not reveal any significance for nonverbal memory scores for both TLE groups on either side, which showed no significant correlation between material specificity and 1H MRS findings. Conversely, regression analyses demonstrated that high right- and low left-sided 1H MRS values obtained before surgery may predict a decline in verbal learning scores after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: 1H MRS can be considered as a useful tool to determine the lateralization in patients with MTLE-HS before the surgery. Although only a weak relation exists between the MRS values and memory scores, presurgical MRS scores may be predictive for a possible deterioration in verbal memory after surgery. However, further studies with higher numbers of cases are needed for confirmation of the results.     

Neuropsychological effects associated with temporal lobectomy and amygdalohippocampectomy depending on Wada test failure

OBJECTIVE: To compare the neuropsychological effects of temporal lobectomy (TL) and amygdalohippocampectomy (AH), depending on whether the patients had passed or failed the Wada test. METHODS: We compared changes in neuropsychological scores in patients who underwent TL (n = 91) or AH (n = 15), and had passed or failed the Wada test. Comparisons were carried out in all 106 patients and among the 20 patients who failed the Wada test (12 who had TL and 8 who had AH). RESULTS: No patient became globally amnesic after surgery. Among all patients, no differences were found in pre-surgical or change scores (percentage of change after surgery compared with preoperative values) of neuropsychological tests between patients who underwent TL or AH. Among patients who failed the Wada test, those in the TL group showed higher visual memory impairment (p<0.05). There was a strong trend suggesting that TL is associated with higher verbal memory deficits than AH (p = 0.07). Of those TL patients who failed the Wada test, the contralateral Wada score correlated with change scores in verbal intelligence quotient (p<0.01), and there was a strong trend towards a correlation with the logical memory immediate recall version subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: No profound changes in intelligence quotient or memory scores were found after TL or AH. Nevertheless, patients who underwent TL and failed the Wada test showed more deficits than those who passed the test or those who had AH. The presence of a correlation between contralateral Wada scores and verbal deficits in TL patients who failed the Wada test but not among AH patients suggests that, if temporal surgery is required, AH might be preferred to TL in patients who fail the Wada test.