Intractable Epilepsy in Childhood: Presurgical Evaluation and Treatment

Abstract

In childhood, early treatment and management of seizures are essential to prevent neuronal injury owing to intractable seizures, as well as achieving normal development, minimizing the adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs, and improving quality of life. Epilepsy surgery has become an important option in the treatment of intractable epilepsy. Children with intractable epilepsy have a more refractory profile compared to adults due to the higher rates of extratemporal epilepsies and develeopmental lesions as the underlying etiology. However, both adults and children have similar outcome following epilepsy surgery, and surgical treatment is efficiently applied in pediatric patients including infants. This paper reviews presurgical evaluation in children with intractable epilepsy and summarizes treatment modalities.