The advent of epilepsy directed neurosurgery: The early pioneers and who was first

Abstract

Efforts to treat epileptic seizures likely date back to primitive, manmade skull openings or trephinations at the site of previous scalp or skull injuries. The purpose may have been the release of “evil spirits,” removal of “cerebral excitement,” and “restoral of bodily and intellectual functions.” With progressive discoveries in brain function over the past 100 to 300 years, the cerebral cortical locations enabling voluntary movements, sensation, and speech have been well delineated. The locations of these functions have become surgical targets for the amelioration of disease processes. Disease entities in particular cerebral-cortical areas may predispose to the onset of focal and or generalized seizures, which secondarily interfere with normal cortical functioning. Modern neuroimaging and electroencephalography usually delineate the location of seizures and often the type of structural pathology. If noneloquent brain regions are involved, open surgical biopsy or removal of only abnormal tissue may be undertaken successfully. A number of the early neurosurgical pioneers in the development of epilepsy surgery are credited and discussed in this article.