Surgical outcome and prognostic factors of pediatric epilepsy caused by cortical dysplasia.

OBJECTS: We analyzed 30 patients with cortical dysplasia (CD) and epilepsy to evaluate the clinical characteristics and surgical outcome of both epilepsy control and neurocognition.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mean ages at seizure onset and at the time of the operation were 3.6 years (range, 1 month-12.6 years) and 10.3 years (range, 1.5-18.3 years), respectively. The mean follow-up period was 3.2 years (range, 1-5.3 years). (18)FDG-positron emission tomography was the most sensitive and magnetic resonance imaging was the most specific in localizing the lesion. Developmental/intellectual delay was predominant in the early-onset group (n=18, seizure onset <3 years), with intelligence tending to be normal in the late-onset group (n=12, seizure onset >or=3 years). Mild CD predominated in the late-onset epilepsy group and moderate or severe CD in the early-onset group (p=0.005). The surgical success rate of epilepsy control was 87%. A better outcome was obtained if the lesion was confined to the temporal lobe. School performance was favorable in 43%. The age at seizure onset and preoperative developmental/intellectual delay were the important prognostic factors in school performance as well as the epilepsy control. A total of 77% of patients had relatively good social adaptation. Successful epilepsy control and good school performance were affirmative conditions precedent to social adaptation.
CONCLUSIONS: Due to the favorable control of epilepsy and its effect on school performance and social adaptation, surgical treatment is strongly recommended for cortical dysplasia and intractable epilepsy.