Surgical treatment of epilepsy with chronic cerebral granuloma caused by Schistosoma japonicum

Abstract

Purpose: To study the surgical treatment of epilepsy with cerebral granuloma caused by Schistosoma japonicum. Methods: Two hundred fifty cases of epilepsy caused by cerebral schistosomiasis from 1955 to 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: There were no deaths. Follow-up of 196 cases for 4-5 years after operation demonstrated that 180 cases (92%) were seizure-free or well-controlled. Conclusions: Surgical treatment should be considered when drug therapy fails to control epilepsy or the lesion shows mass effect. Intraoperative electrocorticography monitoring is helpful to define the extent of the resection of the lesion. © 2008 International League Against Epilepsy.