The preoperative assessment in the planning of surgical management of medically refractory epilepsy in the pediatric patient.

Surgical intervention in refractory epilepsy in children offers the hope of seizure control. For the patient, the preoperative assessment is a major factor in whether he or she is selected as a patient who will potentially benefit. It also plays an important part in the choice of the surgical intervention to be used. This paper reviews the investigations available and suggests an investigational algorithm for use in the pediatric population.