The varied semiology of seizures in the context of small anterior temporal encephaloceles

Aims. Small encephaloceles of the anterior temporal pole have been increasingly recognised as an underlying epileptogenic substrate in patients with medically refractory epilepsy. The current report aims to expand on the current knowledge by emphasising that seizure semiology in such patients can vary significantly. Methods. Patients were selected from an epilepsy surgery database between 2012 and 2017. Results. Of the 143 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery, six patients had a temporal encephalocele. Four of these patients had stereo-EEG implantation. Of the four patients studied, each had a seizure semiology discordant with an ictal focus in the temporal lobe. Intracranial EEG assessment demonstrated, irrespective of this semiology, seizures originated from the anterior temporal pole. Seizures were observed to rapidly propagate to the orbitofrontal cortex, insula, temporo-occipital junction, and posterior language regions. Engagement of the mesial temporal structures could occur early or late, however, a good surgical outcome was achieved following a focused lesionectomy in either situation. Conclusion. The major finding was that seizures arising from anterior temporal encephaloceles can have an extra-temporal semiology. The varied clinical semiology and the rapid propagation to seemingly distant cortical regions could be explained by the connectivity of the anterior temporal lobe.     

Clinical features of seizures associated with parahippocampal/inferior temporal lesions compared to those with hippocampal sclerosis

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is not a unitary electroclinical imaging syndrome. We asked if seizures arising from the parahippocampal‐inferior temporal (PIT) region differ from those associated with hippocampal sclerosis (HS). The electroclinical features of 22 patients with HS and 14 patients with lesions in the PIT region who underwent epilepsy surgery and were seizure free for at least 2 years postoperatively were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with PIT lesions had a higher frequency of hypermotor and bilateral features and a lower frequency of behavioral arrest at the onset of seizure compared to cases with HS, suggesting that TLE originating in the PIT area can mimic frontal lobe epilepsy or contralateral mesial TLE.     

Semiology of hyperkinetic seizures of frontal versus temporal lobe origin

Aims. Hyperkinetic seizures are usually associated with frontal lobe epilepsy. However, some patients have hyperkinetic seizures of temporal lobe origin. The semiological differences in hyperkinetic seizures between frontal and temporal lobe epilepsy have not been well studied. Here, we retrospectively assessed ictal semiology in order to distinguish between hyperkinetic seizures of frontal lobe origin and those of temporal lobe origin. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed data on patients who had undergone surgery for hyperkinetic seizures of temporal or frontal lobe origin and achieved favourable seizure outcomes (Engel Class I) with a minimum postoperative follow‐up of 24 months. We reviewed seizure histories, imaging reports, video‐EEG monitoring data, operative records, and pathological findings. We analysed and compared the hyperkinetic semiology of video‐recorded seizures of temporal lobe origin and those of frontal lobe origin. Results. Forty hyperkinetic seizures in eight patients (seven adult patients and one 12‐year‐old patient) with temporal lobe epilepsy and 45 hyperkinetic seizures in nine patients (eight adult patients and one 16‐year‐old patient) with frontal lobe epilepsy were analysed. Emotional facial expressions (such as fear, laughing, or anger), bilateral forceful elbow flexion, bilateral forceful grasping, facial flushing, and bilateral facial contraction were observed significantly more frequently in seizures of frontal lobe origin. Oroalimentary automatisms, seizures during wakefulness, salivation, and bilateral drop of the corners of the mouth were observed significantly more frequently in seizures of temporal lobe origin. Conclusions. Observation of a number of signs during hyperkinetic manifestations may help to predict whether a seizure originates from the frontal lobe or the temporal lobe.     

Hyperkinetic seizures in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy: clinical features and outcome after temporal lobe resection

Purpose: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is usually associated with automatisms. Hyperkinetic seizures are supposed to be unusual. Because we witnessed several patients with TLE and ictal hyperkinetic symptoms, we retrospectively assessed the number, clinical findings, and seizure outcome in such patients who had undergone temporal lobe resection. Methods: We reviewed medical history, video–electroencephalography (EEG) recording and neuroimaging of adult patients who underwent epilepsy surgery for TLE at the Kork Epilepsy Center over the last 20 years with a minimum postoperative follow‐up of 12 months. Key Findings: Among 294 patients who were resected exclusively in the temporal region, we identified 17 (6%) who presented with hyperkinetic semiology such as violent vocalization, complex movements of the proximal segments of the limbs, rotation of the trunk, pelvic thrusting, or early tonic or dystonic posturing. Most of the patients had a preceding aura. Ictal EEG activity was located in the corresponding temporal region, usually with a wide distribution over temporal electrodes with fast spread to unilateral frontal electrodes and to the contralateral side. Neuroimaging revealed extended lesions in the temporal lobe involving mesial and neocortical structures. Most of the patients underwent classical anterior temporal lobe resection including amygdalo‐hippocampectomy. Fourteen patients (82%) became completely seizure‐free (Engel class Ia). Histopathology showed mainly focal cortical dysplasia plus hippocampal sclerosis. Significance: Hyperkinetic seizure semiology may occasionally occur in patients with TLE and is, therefore, no contradiction to the hypothesis of TLE if scalp EEG patterns and neuroimaging findings correspond. The postoperative seizure outcome is favorable in such patients and not different from outcome data in classical TLE.     

Complex Partial Seizures of Temporal Lobe Origin in Children of Different Age Groups

Summary: The semiology of complex partial seizures(CPS) of temporal lobe origin in adults is well known and is important in establishing seizure localization in patients considered for epilepsy surgery. In contrast, the behavioral features of temporal lobe seizures (TLS) in children described in the literature have not been consistent. In the present study, we investigated children with TLS to compare their attacks to TLS occurring in adults. The study was based on video recordings of 29 children with TLS aged 18 months to 16 years. Children were included, if they became seizure-free after temporal lobectomy (except 4 children with a marked reduction in seizure frequency and 1 with isolated auras), and if clear unitemporal seizure onset in ictal EEG-recordings, unilateral radiological lesions, and corresponding histopathological findings were detected. Children aged >6 years had TLS with features similar to those of adults. In younger children, typical semiology included symmetric motor phenomena of the limbs, postures similar to frontal lobe seizures in adults, and head nodding as in infantile spasms. We concluded that the clinical features of TLS in younger children can be misleading and should therefore be considered with caution in selecting patients for surgical procedures on the temporal lobe.     

Frontal lobe epilepsy

About one-quarter of patients with refractory focal epilepsies have frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE). The typical seizure semiology for FLE includes unilateral clonic, tonic asymmetric or hypermotor seizures. Interictal electroencephalograms (EEG) usually reveal interictal epileptiform discharges and rhythmical midline theta, which has localizing value. The usefulness of ictal EEG recordings is limited by frequent muscle artifacts in motor seizures and because a large portion of the frontal lobe cortex is “hidden” to scalp electrodes. Ictal single photon emission CT and positron emission tomography are able to localize FLE in about one-third of patients only. A pre-surgical evaluation should include, whenever possible, a subclassification of FLE as dorsolateral frontal, mesial frontal or basal frontal lobe epilepsy to allow a minimal cortical resection. A review of the typical findings of seizure semiology, interictal and ictal EEG regarding the different FLE subtypes is given. Etiology, medical treatment and surgery are also discussed.     

Semiology of hypermotor (hyperkinetic) seizures

BackgroundHypermotor seizures (HMSs) consist of complex movements involving proximal segments of the limbs and trunk that appear violent and inappropriate for the situation.MethodsWe analyzed hypermotor seizure videos in seizure-free patients (Engel class I) following resective epilepsy surgery. After completion of video analysis, we reviewed EEG and neuroimaging data.ResultsSearch of our epilepsy surgery database yielded 116 patients classified as having hypermotor seizures between 1996 and 2013. From this subset, 17/31 (55%) patients had been seizure-free for > 6 months (mean follow-up: 3.3 years). Mean seizure duration was 35 s (range: 6–91 s), of which the HM phase lasted a mean of 22 s (range: 3–53 s). In 16 patients (95%), hypermotor activity was seen at or within 10 s of clinical seizure onset.Type I semiology occurred in 6 patients, type II semiology in 10 patients, and 1 patient exhibited features of both. Type I and type II semiologies were noted in patients who had frontal lobe as well as extrafrontal resections. Nonversive head and body turning occurred in 10 patients (ranging from 90° to 270°) which was ipsilateral to the side of resection in all patients and seen both in frontal and extrafrontal resections. Six out of eleven patients with abnormal MRI and 4/6 patients with nonlesional MRI underwent invasive EEG evaluation. Eight patients (47%) had frontal lobe resection, 4/17 (23%) patients had temporal lobe resection, and one patient each had parietal lobe, insular, temporoparietooccipital, or motor sparing resection; 1 patient had functional hemispherectomy.ConclusionHypermotor semiology typically occurs at or within 10 s after seizure onset. Ipsilateral head/body turning appears to be of lateralizing value whereas asymmetry of limb movement was not lateralizing. Hypermotor semiology is most often seen in frontal lobe epilepsy but may occur in seizures arising from other locations.     

Gelastic seizures: Incidence,clinical and EEG features in adult patients undergoing video‐EEG telemetry

This study aimed to determine clinical features of adult patients with gelastic seizures recorded on video –electroencephalography (EEG) over a 5‐year period. We screened video‐EEG telemetry reports for the occurrence of the term “gelastic” seizures, and assessed the semiology, EEG features, and duration of those seizures. Gelastic seizures were identified in 19 (0.8%) of 2,446 admissions. The presumed epileptogenic zone was in the hypothalamus in one third of the cases, temporal lobe epilepsy was diagnosed in another third, and the remainder of the cases presenting with gelastic seizures were classified as frontal, parietal lobe epilepsy or remained undetermined or were multifocal. Gelastic seizures were embedded in a semiology, with part of the seizure showing features of automotor seizures. A small proportion of patients underwent epilepsy surgery. Outcome of epilepsy surgery was related to the underlying pathology; two patients with hippocampal sclerosis had good outcomes following temporal lobe resection and one of four patients with hypothalamic hamartomas undergoing gamma knife surgery had a good outcome.     

Complex partial seizures of frontal lobe onset statistical analysis of ictal semiology.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the ictal semiology of complex partial seizures originating from the frontal lobe (FLCPS) and mesial temporal lobe (MTLE) in patients who became seizure free after surgery. METHODS: We analysed 149 seizures from 42 patients, 28 with MTLE (75 seizures) and 14 with FLCPS (74 seizures) seizure free for at least 1 year after surgery. Fifty-eight symptoms and signs were looked for in every seizure and their time of onset and ending noted. Statistical analysis was then used to define the frequency, time of onset and cluster analysis of these symptoms/signs. RESULTS: Epigastric aura was more frequent in MTLE while an aura of a general body sensation or indescribable feeling occurred only in FLCPS. Alimentary automatisms were more common and occurred earlier in MTLE (P<0.001). Perseverative automatisms, retching and vomiting occurred exclusively in MTLE while bicycling movements occurred only in FLCPS. Abdominal, psychic or olfactory aura followed by behavioural arrest, alimentary automatisms, repetitive distal upper extremity movements, complete loss of consciousness, looking around and whole body movements were typical of MTLE. Repetitive coarse upper extremity movements, complete loss of consciousness, complex motor and hypermotor activity were typical of FLCPS. CONCLUSION: The earliest symptoms and signs as well as their order of appearance allow one to distinguish between complex partial seizures arising from the frontal lobe and mesial temporal lobe.     

Successful surgical treatment of insular epilepsy with nocturnal hypermotor seizures

Nocturnal hypermotor seizures (NHSs) suggest seizure onset in the frontal lobe. We present a patient with NHSs and insular seizure onset who underwent successful surgical treatment. A 29-year-old right-handed man suffered from intractable NHSs since the age of 12 years. High-resolution MRI, [(18)F]FDG-PET, and neuropsychological examination gave normal results, ictal EEG was obscured by artifacts. Ictal [(99m)Tc]HMPAO-SPECT revealed hyperperfusion in the right anterior part of the insula and right frontal operculum. The seizure onset zone was localized in the right anterior insula based on invasive recordings. Electrical stimulation in that area elicited habitual seizures. A limited resection of the anterior part of the right insula and the right frontal operculum was performed rendering the patient seizure-free (follow-up 1 year). To our knowledge, this is the first reported nonlesional patient with an insular seizure onset and NHSs who underwent successful epilepsy surgery.     

Seizure semiology of lesional frontal lobe epilepsies in children

The aim of the study was to analyse the semiology of seizures in children with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) and to compare them with other paediatric cohorts described in the literature as well as with adult counterparts. We analysed 174 registered seizures of 18 cases under 12 years with lesional epilepsy whose frontal origin was defined by the concordance of neuroimaging and ictal electrographic findings, and confirmed by surgery in the six cases operated on. Seizures were generally short, with a high daily frequency and usually related to sleep. The most characteristic semiological pattern consisted of complex motor seizures, particularly hypermotor. Often seizures corresponded to a mixture of different semiological patterns (tonic, gelastic, automotor, hypermotor, versive) presenting in the same seizure, often as a unique type in the same patient. With regard to several aspects the semiology of FLE in our cohort looks like that reported in adult series, in particular as to the frequency of complex motor seizures. However, our cohort was also characterised by a more protean array of seizure semiology, stressing the occurrence of seizures typically present in adults (versive and complex motor) and of some seizure patterns more characteristic in children such as epileptic spasms; moreover, the rare occurrence of secondarily generalised tonic clonic seizures (SGTCS) was confirmed.     

Seizure duration and latency of hypermotor manifestations distinguish frontal from extrafrontal onset in sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy

Sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE) is an epilepsy syndrome that is characterized by the occurrence of sleep‐related hypermotor seizures of variable complexity and duration. Seizures usually arise in the frontal lobe, but extrafrontal seizure onset zones are well described. To identify clinically relevant ictal features of SHE that could distinguish a frontal from an extrafrontal onset zone, we conducted a retrospective analysis of seizure characteristics in 58 patients with drug‐resistant SHE (43 frontal and 15 extrafrontal) who underwent video‐stereo‐electroencephalographic recordings and became seizure‐free after epilepsy surgery. We found that the mean duration of electrographic seizures and clinically observable ictal manifestations were significantly shorter in frontal SHE compared to extrafrontal SHE. The mean latency between electrographic seizure onset and the onset of hypermotor manifestations was also shorter in frontal SHE. Accordingly, a latency > 5 seconds between the first video‐detectable movement (eg, eye opening or a minor motor event) and the onset of hypermotor manifestations yielded a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 90% for an extrafrontal onset, thereby indicating that specific ictal features in SHE can provide clinically useful clues to increase diagnostic accuracy in this syndrome.     

Parahippocampal epilepsy with subtle dysplasia: A cause of “imaging negative” partial epilepsy

Purpose: Lesion‐negative refractory partial epilepsy is a major challenge in the assessment of patients for potential surgery. Finding a potential epileptogenic lesion simplifies assessment and is associated with good outcome. Here we describe imaging features of subtle parahippocampal dysplasia in five cases that were initially assessed as having imaging‐negative frontal or temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods: We analyzed the clinical and imaging features of five patients with seizures from the parahippocampal region. Results: Five patients had subtle but distinctive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in the parahippocampal gyrus. This was a unilateral signal abnormality in the parahippocampal white matter extending into gray matter on heavily T₁‐ and T₂‐weighted images with relative preservation of the gray–white matter boundary on T₁‐weighted volume sequences. Only one of these patients had typical electroclinical unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE); one mimicked frontal lobe epilepsy, two showed bitemporal seizures, and one had unlocalized partial seizures. All have had surgery; four are seizure‐free (one has occasional auras only, follow‐up 6 months to 10 years), and one has a >50% seizure reduction. Histopathologic evaluation suggested dysplastic features in the surgical specimens in all. Discussion: In patients with lesion‐negative partial epilepsy with frontal or temporal semiology, or in cases with apparent bitemporal seizures, subtle parahippocampal abnormalities should be carefully excluded. Recognizing the MRI findings of an abnormal parahippocampal gyrus can lead to successful surgery without invasive monitoring, despite apparently incongruent electroclinical features.     

Temporal pole epilepsy surgery—Sparing the hippocampus

Temporal pole epilepsy (TPE) is a poorly known and difficult to individualize subtype of temporal lobe epilepsy. Consequently, in drug-resistant TPE, there is still a debate on the need for a large surgical removal of the temporal pole and mesial temporal structures or a limited resection of the temporal pole. We reviewed all patients who underwent presurgical evaluation for drug-resistant epilepsy over a 17-year period, and report here 19 patients with proven drug-resistant temporal pole epilepsy who underwent a selective temporal pole resection with respect to mesial structures. Most (15) TPE patients exhibited seizures resembling mesiotemporal seizures, whereas the others exhibited nocturnal hyperkinetic seizures or an association of both seizure types. MRI revealed a temporal pole lesion in 58% of patients. Long-term postoperative outcome after a conservative surgery was excellent: 63% of patients were seizure-free (International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE] 1) at 1-year postsurgery and 78% at 5 years. These results show that TPE has no specific electroclinical features but is a distinct type of temporal lobe epilepsy allowing a conservative surgery. Respecting the mesiotemporal structures is a valid surgical approach for drug-resistant temporal pole epilepsy.     

History and seizure semiology in distinguishing frontal lobe seizures and temporal lobe seizures

This study aimed to determine the reliability of clinical history and seizure semiology for distinguishing between frontal lobe seizures (FLS) and temporal lobe seizures (TLS). FLS patients (n=23) were consecutively identified through an epilepsy surgery database. TLS patients (n=27) were selected randomly from 238 patients who had undergone temporal lobe surgery for epilepsy. The criterion standard for seizure localization was the location of resective epilepsy surgery that controlled seizures for a minimum of 2 years. Blinded comparisons of 13 historical information items (HII) and 19 video-recorded semiologic features (VSF) were made. We identified 3 HII (sex, history of febrile convulsions, and history of generalized tonic-clonic seizures) and 2 VSF (fencing posturing and postictal confusion) that significantly distinguished between FLS and TLS. The multivariate analysis model correctly identified 87% of FLS patients and 74% of TLS patients. No single HII or VSF is sufficient for distinguishing between FLS and TLS. A model integrating multiple HII and VSF may assist in this differentiation, but some patients still may be misclassified.     

Temporal lobe epilepsy: clinical semiology and age at onset.

The objective of this study was to define the clinical semiology of seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy according to the age at onset. We analyzed 180 seizures from 50 patients with medial or neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy who underwent epilepsy surgery between 1997-2002, and achieved an Engel class I or II outcome. We classified the patients into two groups according to the age at the first seizure: at or before 17 years of age and 18 years of age or older. All patients underwent intensive video-EEG monitoring. We reviewed at least three seizures from each patient and analyzed the following clinical data: presence of aura, duration of aura, ictal and post-ictal period, clinical semiology of aura, ictal and post-ictal period. We also analyzed the following data from the clinical history prior to surgery: presence of isolated auras, frequency of secondary generalized seizures, and frequency of complex partial seizures. Non-parametric, chi-square tests and odds ratios were used for the statistical analysis. There were 41 patients in the "early onset" group and 9 patients in the "later onset" group. A relationship was found between early onset and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and between later onset and neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy (p = 0.04). The later onset group presented a higher incidence of blinking during seizures (p = 0.03), a longer duration of the post-ictal period (p = 0.07) and a lower number of presurgical complex partial seizures (p = 0.03). The other parameters analyzed showed no significant differences between the two groups. We conclude that clinical and semiological differences exist between patients with temporal lobe epilepsy according to the age at onset. [Published with video sequences].     

癫痫过度运动发作的症状分析

目的 分析过度运动发作(hypermotor seizure)的癫痫临床症状特征及手术预后。方法 8例运动过度发作的患者，分析癫痫37次发作期间的临床症状，临床发作的起始时间，癫痫病灶的位置，手术结果及病理结果。结果 过度运动发作动作包括：撞头、上肢舞动、前后出拳动作、踢脚、肢体甩动、下肢蹬车动作、躯体翻滚、躯体晃震、骨盆前后甩动等反复激烈动作。癫痫发作中其他发作症状包括：匝眼、扮鬼脸、紧握和抓挠、怪声、紧张姿势。过度运动发作在一次癫痫发作开始的l～53秒(平均12．2秒)时出现，持续时间l～40秒(平均18．6秒)。癫痫灶位置：内侧额叶5例，外侧额叶2例，外侧颞叶l例。8例中，7例术后癫痫发作消失。病理：8例均为皮质发育异常。结论 过度运动发作的产生主要来源于躯体和近体关节的反复激烈运动，常与其他类型发作混合发作；额叶癫痫容易产生此类发作，尤其是额叶内侧起源癫痫；外科的手术效果较好。     

Pilomotor seizures: An autonomic semiology of limbic encephalitis?

PurposeIctal piloerection is an infrequent seizure semiology that is commonly overlooked as an ictal epileptic manifestation. Piloerection is considered to be principally caused by temporal lobe activity although frontal and hypothalamic seizure origins have been reported. The described etiology has shown a wide variety of structural causes such as mesial temporal sclerosis, tumors, posttraumatic, cavernomas and cryptogenic epilepsies.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the incidence of ictal piloerection in the clinical records of patients who underwent video-EEG monitoring (VEEGM) between 2007 and 2013 in a multicenter cooperative study. All patients presented refractory epilepsies and were evaluated with a protocol that included brain MRI, neuropsychology and VEEGM.ResultsA total of 766 patients were evaluated in four tertiary centers in Spain. Five patients showed piloerection as principal seizure semiology (prevalence 0.65%). The mean age at seizure onset was 39.6 years and the average epilepsy duration was 5.2 years (range 2–14) before diagnosis. Four patients were additionally examined with FDG-PET and/or SPECT-SISCOM. All presented temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), three right-sided and two left-sided. A typical unilateral hippocampal sclerosis was described in 3 cases. The etiology detected in all cases was limbic encephalitis. Three had LGI1, one anti-Hu, and another Ma2 antibodies.ConclusionOur series describes a so far not well-recognized autoimmune association of pilomotor seizures to limbic encephalitis. This etiology should be ruled out through a comprehensive diagnostic work-up even in cases of long-lasting TLE with typical hippocampal atrophy on MRI.     

Focal functional anatomy of dorsolateral frontocentral seizures

We compared 6 patients with dorsolateral frontocentral seizures to 7 patients with temporal lobe seizures. We determined general seizure location by structural lesions in 7 patients, bilateral depth electrodes in 4, and EEG and semiology in 2. We then mapped seizure cortex and essential cortex using chronic ECoG arrays. Two ECoG patterns were similar in frontal and temporal seizures. Focal patterns were near lesions and resections. Regional patterns were distant from lesions but not associated with worse surgical outcome. "Dipolar" seizure patterns occurred in one-half of frontal patients with maps like somatosensory evoked responses, consistent with focal seizure anatomy and involvement of sensorimotor cortex. Dipole location estimates were near centers of seizure cortex determined by lesions, semiology, and outcome. Six temporal patients had focal excisions that gave significant seizure reduction in all. All frontocentral patients had focal excisions that significantly reduced seizures except in 1 patient with progressive disease. We conclude that dorsolateral frontocentral seizures have focal functional anatomy that can be predicted by ictal ECoG.     

Tailored resections in occipital lobe epilepsy surgery guided by monitoring with subdural electrodes: characteristics and outcome

PURPOSE: Occipital lobe epilepsy is uncommon in epilepsy surgery series and often difficult to assess due to rapid seizure propagation, misleading seizure semiology and confounding interictal epileptiform activity. Ictal recordings with surface electrodes may not define properly the seizure onset zone in surgical evaluation for intractable occipital epilepsy. Specially in dysplastic lesions, the extension of the epileptogenic zone is not well defined by neuroimaging techniques, therefore, implantation of intracranial electrodes is often indicated. In this study we present our experience with individually tailored resections of occipital lobe epileptic foci guided by monitoring with subdural electrodes. METHODS: Data from interictal and ictal surface and intracranial recordings, neuroimaging, surgical treatment, pathology and outcome of seven patients are presented. RESULTS: The most common seizure type (6/7 patients) was complex partial with temporal lobe semiology, five patients experienced visual auras as part of their complex partial seizures or as separate simple partial seizures. Two patients had seizures suggesting supplementary motor area involvement. One patient had temporal as well as frontal seizure propagation. Neuroimaging showed lesions in 6/7 patients. Pathological studies revealed cortical dysplasia and tumors as the most common causes. Intracranial recordings (6/7 patients) revealed focal onset in 2 patients, regional onset in 2, and diffuse onset in 2. Surgery was performed according to intracranial recordings restricting resections in cases with focal seizure onset (even in large dysplastic lesions) and performing wider resections in patients with regional or diffuse onset. Five of seven patients are seizure free after 12-55 months (mean 24.3). The two remaining patients may be classified as Engel 2b and 3a. CONCLUSIONS: This series of occipital lobe epilepsy surgery shows that, even in patients with cortical dysplasias, restricted resections may have a good outcome and that intracranial monitoring is usually necessary in order to design an individually tailored resection.