Abstracts

RATIONALE: It is well known that favorable outcomes in epilepsy surgery are dependent in the completeness of the resection in lesional epilepsy, particularly in the case of cortical dysplasias. Neurocisticercosis (NC) is an endemic disorder in Latin America often associated with intractable seizures, where epilepsy surgery is a viable option. It is unclear if neocortical perilesional resection is necessary in the neighboring cyst to achieve seizure freedom in this disorder. To determine if lesional surgery alone is enough in epilepsy surgery. METHODS: We evaluated the cases of NC in our institution with intractable seizures for surgery, 4 patients were selected with intracortical non calcified lesions, all of them had a history of at least 1 year with convulsions not controlled with at least 3 major anticonvulsants. None of the lesions were calcified. 2 cases were operated by an open procedure, in the other 2 the lesions were removed by a sterotactic guidance. Pathology reports were available in all cases. Follow up included 1 year. RESULTS: The location of the lesions was 1 parietal, 1 occipital, 2 frontal. all cases were single lesions affecting the cortex, in either the vesicular or colloidal stage. In the open procedures, no EcoG (electrocorticography) was performed. No complications were experienced during the procedures. All cases were seizure free at 1 year follow-up, and all of them were postoperatively on anticonvulsants. CONCLUSIONS: The resection of an isolated cortical cisticerci can be accomplished easily in surgery either by an open or stereotactic procedure, does not require EcoG monitoring, and seizure freedom can be achieved. A more extensive study with a larger population is needed.