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Journal of Pediatric Epilepsy 2014; 03(01): 045-053
DOI: 10.3233/PEP-14075
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

Advances in the neurosurgical management of epilepsy caused by hypothalamic hamartoma

Taylor J. Abel
a   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
,
Royce W. Woodroffe
a   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
,
Daniel E. Couture
b   Department of Neurosurgery, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
,
Hiroto Kawasaki
a   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

21 February 2014

26 February 2014

Publication Date:
18 July 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is an uncommon intrinsically epileptogenic lesion of the hypothalamus that is associated with medically intractable epilepsy. Intractable seizures caused by HH may lead to progressive cognitive delay and are also associated with generation of secondary epileptic foci. Therefore, early referral and surgery for children with HH is critical. Recent advances in minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques, including endoscopy, radiosurgery, magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial ablation, and deep brain stimulation, have increased both the variety and feasibility of treatment options available for treating the intractable seizures caused by HH. In this manuscript, we review emerging techniques available for treatment of intractable seizures associated with HH.

Keywords

Seizures - gelastic seizure - pediatric neurosurgery - pediatrics - precocious puberty