Gelastic seizures: not always hypothalamic hamartoma.

Gelastic seizures are often associated with hypothalamic hamartomas. However, focal cortical dysplasias can also cause "laughing seizures", and such cases can be difficult to localize with EEG. This case report presents a 29-year-old woman who was successfully rendered free of gelastic seizures after resection of a frontal cortical dysplasia, localized through MRI and SPECT imaging.[Published with video sequences].     

Gelastic seizures treated by resection of a hypothalamic hamartoma

A 7-year-old girl presented for evaluation of a peculiar kind of epilepsy. Her seizures began before 1 year of age and consisted of episodes of brief, uncontrolled and unprovoked laughter than with time progressed to include cursive, complex partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Progressive impairment of cognitive functions was noted as well as precocious puberty. Neuroimaging examination disclosed a hypothalamic hamartoma. It was excised by a pterional approach, and no further seizures were noted. The authors propose direct surgery for the hypothalamic hamartoma as a treatment for this progressive syndrome.     

Gelastic epilepsy: symptomatic and cryptogenic cases

PURPOSE: To describe the etiology, characteristics, and clinical evolution of epilepsy in patients with gelastic seizures (GSs). METHODS: Nine patients whose seizures were characterized by typical laughing attacks were observed between 1986 and 1997. Patients were selected based on electroencephalogram (EEG) or video-EEG recordings of at least one GS and on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study. RESULTS: Five patients were affected by symptomatic localization-related epilepsy (LRE), with four of the patients' disorders related to a hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) and one to tuberous sclerosis (TS) without evident hypothalamic lesions. In four patients (the cryptogenic cases) MRI was negative also in these cases, clinical and EEG data suggested a focal origin of the seizures. The epileptic syndrome in the HH cases was usually drug-resistant, and was surgically treated in two of the patients. The patient with TS became seizure free with vigabatrin. In the cryptogenic cases, the ictal, clinical, and EEG semiology were similar to the symptomatic cases: the clinical evolution was variable, with patients having transient drug resistance or partial response to treatment. No cognitive defects were observed in the cryptogenic patients. None of the nine patients had precocious puberty. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the frequent finding of HHs in GSs and further underline how GSs may also be observed in patients without MRI lesions and with normal neurologic status. In these patients, clinical and EEG seizure semiology is similar to symptomatic cases, but the clinical evolution is usually more benign.     

Gelastic seizures due to hypothalamic hamartoma: Rapid resolution after endoscopic tumor disconnection

Gelastic epilepsy are focal seizures manifesting as recurrent brief seizures starting as laughter or grimaces. They are most commonly associated with other types of seizures and can be secondary to infectious, malformative, metabolic, or neoplastic processes involving the central nervous system. We report on an 18-month-old girl who presented since the age of 2 months with multiple, recurrent, unprovoked episodes of stereotypical laughter. Brain magnetic resonance study revealed an hypothalamic hamartoma. Endoscopic tumor disconnection of the hamartoma resulted in rapid resolution of neurological symptomatology.     

发笑癫痫

1873年Trousseau首次描述了以发笑为主要表现的癫痫,直到1957年Daly和Mulder才第一次使用发笑癫痫（gelastic epilepsy）这个名词.发笑癫痫是一种罕见的癫痫发作形式,到目前为止国内外文献报道仅100余例.     

Gelastic epilepsy

A case of retinitis pigmentosa with laughing epilepsy is described. Stereotyped repetitive episodes of limb movement, rigidity, and cackling laughter responding to diazepam are recorded. One episode is presented as gelastic status epilepticus and the clinical and EEG features are reported. Features of gelastic epilepsy are discussed and briefly compared with other laughing disorders. A short history of the condition is accompanied by a relevant review of the literature. The possible importance of hypothalamic lesions in laughing epilepsy is discussed and the absence of consistent EEG findings is noted.     

Transcallosal resection of hypothalamic hamartoma for intractable epilepsy

PURPOSE: To present the results of transcallosal surgical resection of hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) in 26 patients with refractory epilepsy in a prospective outcome study. METHODS: Patients with refractory epilepsy symptomatic to HH were referred for surgical resection of their HH (mean age, 10.0 years; range, 2.1-24.2 years). A transcallosal, interforniceal approach was used to remove and/or disconnect the hamartoma. Volumetry was obtained on pre- and postoperative brain MRI scans to determine percentage of resection. Outcome assessment included determination of postoperative seizure frequencies in comparison to baseline and the incidence of postoperative complications. Postoperative changes in cognitive and behavioral functioning, in comparison to baseline, were elicited by parental report. RESULTS: The average postoperative follow-up interval was 20.3 months (range, 13-28 months). Fourteen (54%) patients were completely seizure free, and nine (35%) had at least a 90% improvement in total seizure frequency. Parents reported postoperative improvement in behavior in 23 (88%) patients and in cognition in 17 (65%) patients. Transient postoperative memory disturbance was seen in 15 (58%) patients, but persisted in only two (8%). Two (8%) patients had persisting endocrine disturbance requiring hormone replacement therapy (diabetes insipidus and hypothyroidism in one each). With univariate analysis, the likelihood of a seizure-free outcome correlated with younger age, shorter lifetime duration of epilepsy, smaller preoperative HH volume, and 100% HH resection. CONCLUSIONS: Refractory epilepsy associated with HH can be safely and effectively treated with surgical resection by a transcallosal, interforniceal approach. Short-term memory deficits appear to be transient for most patients, and family perception of the impact of surgery on cognitive and behavioral domains is favorable. Complete resection yields the best result.     

Transcallosal resection of hypothalamic hamartoma for gelastic epilepsy

Introduction Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) are commonly associated with severe epilepsy resistant to anticonvulsant therapy. Historically, surgical resection of HHs resulted in considerable morbidity. Discussion Two series of patients who successfully underwent resection using a transcallosal approach have now been published; we report the first UK experience of this technique in a series of five patients with HHs and gelastic epilepsy resistant to anticonvulsant therapy. Patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively for seizure activity, endocrine function, ophthalmology, and neurocognitive function. Two patients had precocious puberty and all had evidence of developmental delay and behavioral problems. Postoperatively, all children experienced at least a 50% reduction in seizure frequency with abolition of major seizure types; one child remains seizure-free. One child developed a mild postoperative right hemiparesis and one developed transient diabetes insipidus. Conclusion There were no adverse developmental effects of surgery. Transcallosal resection of HHs ameliorates resistant epilepsy syndromes associated with HH.     

Endoscopic resection of hypothalamic hamartoma for refractory epilepsy: preliminary report

The intrahypothalamic subtype of hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is usually associated with refractory epilepsy, cognitive impairment, and organic behavioral disturbance. It is often a devastating disorder for both patient and family. The gelastic (laughing) seizure is the hallmark seizure type. However, multiple other seizure types can often develop during the course of the disease, and are typically refractory to antiepilepsy drugs (AEDs). Previously it was uncertain if HH tissue was responsible for seizure genesis or whether resection of the HH would result in improvement of the seizures. Recently both of these questions have been answered in the affirmative. Surgical resection using a transcallosal, interforniceal approach has recently been shown to be efficacious and generally safe for the treatment of the refractory seizures. However, even more recently, we have been performing the majority of HH surgical resection by using an endoscopic technique with a transventricular approach. This article presents the details of the operative technique and discusses preliminary outcome data, particularly with comparison to the transcallosal technique. Using an endoscope holder with micromanipulator facilitates endoscopic resection. Linking the endoscope to a system of frameless stereotaxis is essential for successful resection. Forty-four patients age 8 months to 44 years have undergone endoscopic resection. The ideal candidate for endoscopic removal has a hamartoma completely or nearly completely involving one wall of the third ventricle and is 1 cm or less in greatest diameter. Because it is essential to be able to visualize the lesion within the third ventricle for resection, there must be at least 6 mm of space between the top of the lesion and the roof of the third ventricle. Patients with intractable epilepsy caused by HH can be rendered seizure free or show marked improvement in seizure frequency by surgical removal, surgical disconnection, or radiosurgical ablation of the lesion. Which of these options should be recommended for an individual patient is not yet clear. One of the options involves resection or disconnection of the HH with a transventricular endoscopic approach. In selected patients, endoscopic resection of HH is effective in the treatment of intractable epilepsy, with lower complication rates and shorter hospital stays than transcallosal resection.     

儿童下丘脑错构瘤导致癫痫的手术治疗

目的 探讨儿童下丘脑错构瘤导致癫痫的手术治疗。方法 报告儿童下丘脑错构瘤11例，男6例，女5例，年龄为2-15岁，发病年龄为2个月至14岁。首发症状为痴笑样癫痫者10例。为癫痫大发作者1例，伴发性早熟6例，伴发跌倒发作3例，伴发癫痫大发作6例。手术；翼点入路10例，终板入路1例，术中错构瘤深部电极检测4例。结果 全切错构瘤2例，大部切除8例，部分切除1例。术中错构瘤深部电极显示棘波1例。随诊19至90个月，痊愈2例，有效9例，术后一过性动眼神经麻痹3例。结论 手术切除错构瘤可有效治疗儿童下丘脑错构瘤导致的癫痫。     

Treatment options for gelastic epilepsy due to hypothalamic hamartoma: interstitial radiosurgery

Surgical treatment of hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) as the underlying etiology of gelastic epilepsy is associated with a high risk of complications because of the close vicinity of adjacent structures such as the optic tracts and mammillary bodies. Treatment with interstitial radiosurgery uses stereotactically implanted (125)I seeds emitting gamma radiation from the center of the lesion, with a steep spatial gradient, over a period of about 3 weeks. This form of HH therapy offers particular advantages regarding the risk for major side effects. In a series of 15 children and adolescents treated in Freiburg, Germany, 53% of patients achieved significant improvement in seizure frequency (Engel class I or II outcome). Transient side effects were related to the development of local edema, resulting in headache and mental slowing. A persistent weight gain was noted in 3 patients, which was severe in 1 (20 kg). There were no other neurologic, neuropsychologic, or neuropsychiatric side effects, which compares favorably with most surgical series.     

Orbitozygomatic resection for hypothalamic hamartoma and epilepsy: patient selection and outcome

Purpose  

This study aims to examine the outcomes of ten patients after orbitozygomatic (OZ) pterional surgery in cases of refractory epilepsy caused by hypothalamic hamartomas (HH).     

Gelastic seizure with hypothalamic hamartoma: proton magnetic resonance spectrometry and ictal electroencephalographic findings in a 4-year-old girl

Gelastic seizure is a rare symptom often associated with hypothalamic hamartoma. We present here a 4-year-old girl with gelastic epilepsy caused by hypothalamic hamartoma and report the magnetic resonance spectrometry and electroencephalographic (EEG) findings. At the age of 2 1/2 years, she developed brief, repetitive laughing attacks or mixed attacks with laughing and crying, which were refractory to carbamazepine. An interictal EEG showed intermittent slow waves in the left frontocentral region and sporadic positive sharp waves in the left centroparietal area. Ictal EEG demonstrated dysrhythmic theta activity in the left central area 3 seconds after the onset of laughing. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large sessile mass, isointense to gray matter, in the region of the hypothalamus, suggesting hypothalamic hamartoma. Proton magnetic resonance spectrometry of the hypothalamic hamartoma revealed a significant reduction of the N-acetylaspartate/serum creatinine ratio. The altered chemical shift imaging with magnetic resonance spectrometry in our patient suggests a biochemical abnormality in the tissue of the hypothalamic hamartoma. Moreover, this abnormal function of the hamartoma tissue might be closely related to epileptogenesis because the time difference between the ictal laughter and the subsequent EEG changes in the ictal EEG does not support the idea that the activated cortex is the epileptogenic focus.     

Interictal spike EEG source analysis in hypothalamic hamartoma epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: The epilepsy associated with the hypothalamic hamartomas constitutes a syndrome with peculiar seizures, usually refractory to medical therapy, mild cognitive delay, behavioural problems and multifocal spike activity in the scalp electroencephalogram (EEG). The cortical origin of spikes has been widely assumed but not specifically demonstrated. METHODS: We present results of a source analysis of interictal spikes from 4 patients (age 2-25 years) with epilepsy and hypothalamic hamartoma, using EEG scalp recordings (32 electrodes) and realistic boundary element models constructed from volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs). Multifocal spike activity was the most common finding, distributed mainly over the frontal and temporal lobes. A spike classification based on scalp topography was done and averaging within each class performed to improve the signal to noise ratio. Single moving dipole models were used, as well as the Rap-MUSIC algorithm. RESULTS: All spikes with good signal to noise ratio were best explained by initial deep sources in the neighbourhood of the hamartoma, with late sources located in the cortex. Not a single patient could have his spike activity explained by a combination of cortical sources. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results demonstrate a consistent origin of spike activity in the subcortical region in the neighbourhood of the hamartoma, with late spread to cortical areas.     

下丘脑错构瘤214例临床特征分析

目的 分析下丘脑错构瘤的临床特征.方法 回顾分析1994年1月至2008年5月北京天坛医院诊治的214例下丘脑错构瘤的临床资料.结果 性别:男性多于女性,男女之比为1.52:1;有性早熟的115例中,男女之比为1.09:1;有癫痫的123例中男女之比为2.15:1;有痴笑样癫痫的96例中男女之比为2:1;同时表现为性早熟及癫痫的38例中男女之比为1.38:1.发病年龄:200例有症状的病例,平均发病年龄为34.5个月;发病年龄≤3岁者157例,占78.5%;单纯性早熟者77例(38.5%),平均发病年龄16.5个月,<3岁者67例,占87%;表现有性早熟者115例(57.5%),平均发病年龄为17.63个月,发病<3岁者99例,占86.1%;有痴笑样癫痫者96例(48%),平均为26.14个月,<3岁者有78例,占81.3%;所有癫痫者[痴笑样癫痫和(或)癫痫大、小发作]123例(61.5%),平均发病年龄为3.81岁,≤3岁前发病者有90例,占73.2%.结论 下丘脑错构瘤多数在婴幼儿期发病,男性多于女性.