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Paediatric Intractable Epilepsy Syndromes: Changing Concepts in Diagnosis and Management

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Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery

Part of the book series: Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery ((NEUROSURGERY,volume 39))

Abstract

Epilepsy surgery for drug-resistant childhood epilepsy is not new. However, brain imaging, surgical and anaesthetic techniques have improved to the extent that they are now as much safer and realistic option than they were in the past. Further, the range of surgical candidates is wide, and previous concepts about likely surgical candidates are now challenged as children with previously thought widespread or apparent multifocal disease are evaluated. Outcomes for seizure freedom range from 40 to 80 % depending on the underlying aetiology and the extent of resection. However, the aims of surgery may include seizure reduction in some and improvement in neurodevelopment and behaviour in others, which are less ­predictable. Epilepsy surgery in children is no longer a last resort. Children thought to be likely candidates should be evaluated early in their natural history to optimise outcomes in the long term.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child Neurology, Lewis Rhodes Labs, Inc., Acton, MA, USA

    Pamela L. Follett

  2. Neurosciences Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK

    Nitishkumar Vora

  3. Neurosciences Unit, UCL-Institute of Child Health, 4/5 Long Yard, London, WC1N 3LU, UK

    J. Helen Cross

  4. Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK

    J. Helen Cross

  5. Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, UK

    J. Helen Cross

Authors
  1. Pamela L. Follett
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  2. Nitishkumar Vora
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  3. J. Helen Cross
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Helen Cross .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fac. Medicine, Dept. Neurosurgery, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye, Ankara, 06100, Turkey

    Nejat Akalan

  2. Ist. Neurochirurgia, Dipto. Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, Roma, 00168, Italy

    Concezio Di Rocco

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© 2012 Springer-Verlag Wien

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Follett, P.L., Vora, N., Cross, J.H. (2012). Paediatric Intractable Epilepsy Syndromes: Changing Concepts in Diagnosis and Management. In: Akalan, N., Di Rocco, C. (eds) Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery. Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery, vol 39. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1360-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1360-8_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-1359-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-1360-8

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