Closed-lip schizencephaly around the central sulcus with intractable epilepsy treated by peri-lesional focus resection - Case report

Abstract

A 24-year-old man presented with closed-lip schizencephaly around the right central sulcus manifesting as an 11-year history of intractable epilepsy. Mild motor paresis in the left extremities and mental retardation were observed. Tonic posture with bilateral facial tonic contraction was asymmetrical, predominantly in the left extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated closed-lip schizencephaly around the right central sulcus. The epileptogenic zone was determined in the supplementary motor area, and premotor and primary sensorimotor cortices using invasive recordings. As the thickened cortex was considered functional, corticectomy of the supplementary motor area and premotor area was performed, preserving the primary sensorimotor area. Histological examination revealed marked cortico-subcortical gliosis, particularly in the medial part of the resection. Asymmetrical tonic postural seizure disappeared completely after surgery. Medically intractable epilepsy with schizencephaly represents a considerable challenge in epilepsy surgery. Partial corticectomy adjacent to the thickened cortex was effective for seizure control in a patient with closed-lip schizencephaly around the central sulcus.