Modified Hemispherectomy for Epilepsy: Early results in 10 cases

Abstract

Early outcome results for 10 cases of modified hemispherectomy are presented. All patients had a history of infantile hemiplegia and intractable epilepsy. Pre-and postoperative measures for seizures and motor and cognitive and behavioural functioning are described. Early results are encouraging with no mortality and a low rate of complications. There was a complete cessation of seizures in seven patients and a considerable reduction in seizure frequency in two. Motor functioning was largely unaffected. Behaviour problems tended to improve at the cessation of seizures. IQ scores did not deteriorate as a consequence of operation and some patients showed considerable gains in IQ with the passage of time. Details of cognitive functioning are described.

Key Words:

• Modified hemispherectomy
• epilepsy
• infantile hemiplegia