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. 2014 Jan;23(1):6-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2013.08.005. Epub 2013 Aug 16.

Seizure outcome after hippocampal deep brain stimulation in a prospective cohort of patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy

Arthur Cukiert  1 , Cristine Mella Cukiert  2 , Jose Augusto Burattini  2 , Alessandra Moura Lima  2
Affiliations
Free article

Seizure outcome after hippocampal deep brain stimulation in a prospective cohort of patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy

Arthur Cukiert et al. Seizure. 2014 Jan.
Free article

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, we present the results obtained from a series of patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (r-TLE) who underwent hippocampal deep brain stimulation (Hip-DBS).

Methods: Nine consecutive adult patients were studied. Low-frequency and high-frequency stimulation was carried out immediately after the insertion of each electrode. Chronic continuous high-frequency stimulation was used during treatment. The mean follow-up time was 30.1 months. The mean age of the patients was 37.2 years. The MRI scan was normal in three patients; four patients had bilateral mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), and two had unilateral MTS.

Results: The patients with unilateral MTS received unilateral implantation and experienced a 76% and an 80% reduction in seizure frequency after Hip-DBS. All patients with normal MRI scans were implanted bilaterally. Two of these patients received unilateral activation of the electrodes and experienced a 97% and an 80% reduction in seizure frequency; the third patient had bilateral activation of the device and was a non-responder. All patients with bilateral MTS were implanted bilaterally. Three of these patients received unilateral activation of the device and experienced a 66%, a 66% and a 100% reduction in seizure frequency after Hip-DBS; one patient had bilateral electrode activation, and was a non-responder. Whenever present, generalised tonic-clonic seizures disappeared completely after Hip-DBS.

Conclusions: Although performed on a relatively small number of patients, Hip-DBS was safe and effective in our patients with r-TLE. Seven of the nine patients were considered responders. Hip-DBS might represent a useful therapeutic option in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy who were not candidates for resective surgery or have had previous failed procedures.

Keywords: Deep brain stimulation; Epilepsy; Outcome; Temporal lobe.

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