Abstracts

Rationale: Patients with paraventricular heterotopia also experience epileptic seizures. It is important to localize the seizure focus in these patients for proper treatment and successful outcome. Gamma knife radiosurgery offers a non-invasive method of treating patients with epileptic foci not amenable to surgical resection. We report on two patients with epilepsy and PVH who underwent gamma knife radiosurgery for the heterotopia.Methods: Two female patients with periventricular heterotopia and unsuccessful remission of seizures using medication underwent stereotactic depth electrode recording to localize the epileptogenic focus. Following localization of their seizure focus to the PVH, both patients underwent two gamma knife treatments. Results: Patient 1 has experienced a 24 month seizure free outcome without medication. Patient 2 also had a seizure-free period of 12 months experienced complications secondary to radionecrosis and cerebral edemaConclusions: In patients with PVH and epilepsy, successful outcome is dependent upon correct identification of the epileptic focus which may require stereotactic depth electrode recording. Gamma knife may offer a noninvasive treatment method for such patients or other epilepsy patients who are not surgical candidates. Further study needs to be undertaken regarding the safety and dosing parameters.