Low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors (LEATs) are responsible for drug-resistant chronic focal epilepsy, and are the second-most common reason for epilepsy surgery in children. LEATs are extremely responsive to surgical treatment, and therefore epilepsy surgery should be considered as a treatment option for LEATs. However, the optimal time for surgery remains controversial, and surgeries are often delayed. In this review, we reviewed published article on the factors associated with seizure and cognitive outcomes after epilepsy surgery for LEATs in children to help clinicians in their decision whether to pursue epilepsy surgery for LEATs. The achievement of gross total resection may be the most important prognostic factor for seizure freedom. A shorter duration of epilepsy, a younger age at surgery, and extended resection of temporal lobe tumors have also been suggested as favorable prognostic factors in terms of seizure control. Poor cognitive function in children with LEATs is associated with a longer duration of epilepsy and a younger age at seizure onset.
Low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors (LEATs) are responsible for drug-resistant chronic focal epilepsy that presents with seizure onset during childhood or young adulthood [1]. LEATs comprise low-grade glial or glioneuronal tumors (GNTs) such as gangliogliomas (GGs), dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNTs), angiocentric astrocytomas, and isomorphic astrocytomas.
After leukemias, brain tumors are the most common tumors (20%–22%) in children [2]. Brain tumors are graded based on their histological appearance and molecular parameters. World Health Organization grades 1 and 2 are benign tumors, while grades 3 and 4 are malignant. Before biopsy or surgical resection, due to multiple and nonspecific clinical signs, tumor grade is mostly assumed based on analysis of tumor site and appearance on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [3]. For example, a hemorrhagic tumor with peripheral edema containing multiple ectatic vessels or a hypercellular tumor that is iso- or hypointense compared to the cortex on T2-weighted imaging is more suggestive of high-grade tumors [3-5]. Seizure prevalence is higher in slow-growing benign brain tumors, and some suggested explanations include: (1) longer life expectancy of patients with low-grade tumors contributing to increased seizure frequency; (2) insufficient time for cells of high-grade tumors to reorganize, vascularize, and develop mechanisms necessary for epileptogenesis; and (3) slow-growing tumor cells may possess intrinsic epileptogenic properties [6-8].
As the propensity for malignant progression is very low in LEATs, seizure control may be the main treatment target. Unfortunately, there is a high incidence of drug-resistant seizures among LEAT patients; consequently, although LEATs account for only 2%–5% of all brain tumors and are the etiology of seizures in only 1%–3% of pediatric epilepsy patients, LEATs are the second-most common reason for epilepsy surgery in children [9-12]. In a European study of brain specimens from 9,523 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery, the histopathologic etiology was identified as a tumor in 24% of all patients. LEATs comprised 82% of the tumors, and 84% of the LEATs were GGs or DNTs (Table 1).
LEATs are extremely responsive to surgical treatment, and more than 80% of patients achieve seizure freedom after surgery [13-16]. Therefore, epilepsy surgery should be considered a treatment option for LEATs. However, the optimal surgical timing remains controversial, and surgeries are often delayed (Table 1), mostly due to late referral after lengthy trials of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), with a mean duration from seizure onset to surgery (i.e., duration of epilepsy) of more than 10 years [10].
To help clinicians decide whether to pursue epilepsy surgery for LEATs, here we performed a systematic literature review of the factors associated with seizure and cognitive outcomes after epilepsy surgery for LEATs in children. Articles were extracted in July 2019 using PubMed searches of titles and abstracts with the following query terms: seizure or epilepsy; low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumor, long-term epilepsy-associated tumor, LEAT, ganglioglioma, dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, glioma, astrocytoma, xanthoastrocytoma, or tumor; surgery or resection; and child or pediatric. The inclusion criteria for the studies were: (1) epilepsy surgery in children with histopathologically confirmed LEATs, (2) seizure or epilepsy as the main symptom and reason for the surgery, and (3) mention of statistically significant predictive factors for seizure or cognitive outcomes. The exclusion criteria were: (1) inclusion of adults and children in the study and the reporting of data such that the child-specific data could not be distinguished from those for adults, (2) inclusion of high-grade tumors. Of 290 extracted articles, 86 were excluded after initial screening due to irrelevancy, while an additional 186 were excluded after full article review due to ineligibility. Ultimately, 18 studies were included; of them, 16 addressed factors associated with seizure outcome, and 6 addressed factors associated with cognitive outcome. All included studies were retrospective.
Epileptogenesis of LEATs
The reason why almost all GNTs, including GGs and DNTs, cause seizures is not entirely understood, and various epileptogenic mechanisms of LEAT-associated epilepsy have been suggested [17]. The LEAT itself can be intrinsically epileptogenic due to the presence of hyperexcitable dysplastic neurons or a high neuronal density within the tumor as evidenced by various results from immunocytochemical studies, such as the high expression of glutamate receptor subtypes, downregulation of several gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, and deregulation of cation-chloride cotransporters [18-22].
LEATs can also invade normal tissues, altering neurotransmitter expression and inflammatory reactions [23]. For example, the deregulation of glutamate uptake and release by glutamate receptors on glial cells, which results in increased extracellular glutamate concentrations and decreased glial glutamate transporter expressions, has been observed [19,20,24,25]. LEATs have also been noted to activate the innate and adaptive immune systems [26,27]. Proinflammatory molecules increase neuronal excitability by enhancing extracellular glutamate concentrations and modifying the functions of glutamate and GABA receptors [28]. Immune system activation also causes upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules in neuronal cells and activates the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway [26,27,29].
Adjacent cortical areas can also undergo dysplastic reorganization, leading to hyperexcitability [30,31]. Studies have shown that the afferentiation of adjacent cortical regions can lead to denervation hypersensitivity, modified synchronization of local networks, and overexpression of neurotransmitters in adjacent cortical areas [7,23,32].
Other suggested mechanisms for LEAT-related seizures include blood-brain barrier dysfunction, altered gap junction channels in glial cells, alterations in the surrounding neuronal network, altered regional metabolism and pH, regional hypoxic effects on the surrounding tissue, and an altered vascular supply [7,18,33-39]. Genetic predispositions for tumor-associated seizures have also been studied [7,40]. Therefore, the etiology of tumor-induced seizures is multifactorial and extends beyond the physical size of the tumor itself [41,42].
Factors associated with seizure outcomes after epilepsy surgery for LEATs
The following factors were mentioned at least once among the 16 studies that addressed seizure outcome as being predictive of seizure recurrence after surgery: younger age at seizure onset [43]; older age at surgery [44,45]; longer duration of epilepsy [44,46]; greater number of AEDs taken at the time of surgery [47]; presence of generalized seizure [48]; presence of generalized epileptiform discharges (EDs) in an electroencephalogram [49]; extratemporal or parietal location of the tumor [45]; presence of satellite lesions on a MRI scan [50]; lesionectomy of temporal tumors [43]; and subtotal tumor resection [15,45,46,51-55]. The included studies that examined seizure outcome are summarized in Table 2, and more detailed information regarding the tumor types included, parameters for seizure outcome assessment, and factors irrelevant to seizure outcome are shown in Supplementary Table 1.
Degree of tumor resection
Gross total resection was the most frequently suggested favorable prognostic factor [15,45,46,49-55]. Fig. 1 shows an example of successful gross total resection of a LEAT (ganglioglioma) in a 7-year-old boy performed due to uncontrolled seizures after he took 3 AEDs for 1.3 years. Several studies that included large numbers of patients confirmed that gross total resection is among the strongest factors leading to seizure freedom after LEAT resection [41,56-58]. However, some studies have stated otherwise [49,50,59,60]. Gross total resection may not be possible if the tumor is located adjacent to eloquent areas or other functional cortical areas. Nevertheless, gross total resection should be the goal of surgery, and efforts should be made using multimodal approaches to maximize the extent of resection.
Duration of epilepsy
Two studies mentioned that a longer duration of epilepsy was a poor prognostic factor for seizure outcomes [44,45]. The same has been demonstrated in previous systematic reviews that examined adults or both adults and children [56,57,61]. Early seizures may promote progressive changes in synaptic plasticity and cerebral blood flow, with prolonged epilepsy making surrounding neurons more epileptic; thus, seizure control can become more difficult once a period of time has elapsed following seizure onset [56,62-65]. However, 8 studies found that epilepsy duration is not predictive of seizure outcome [15,43,46,49-52,55], while 2 studies suggested otherwise. Thus, more studies are needed to draw a definitive conclusion.
Age at surgery
Two studies found that an older age at surgery is predictive for persistent seizures [44,46], whereas 9 studies found no association between age at surgery and seizure outcome [15,43,45,47,48,50,52, 54,55,66]. In an Italian nationwide study of epilepsy surgery for LEATs that included a total of 282 adults and children, older age at surgery was the most significant predictor of persistent seizures, with a 4% increase in the probability of an unfavorable outcome for every year waited [16]. Since previous studies demonstrated no significant difference in surgical outcome between pediatric and adult patients with LEATs [16,56], the reason for the poor prognosis associated with older age at surgery may be the duration of epilepsy rather than the patient’s age itself.
Extent of resection
One article suggested that extended resection (i.e., removal of the tumor and surrounding epileptogenic zone) is helpful for achieving seizure freedom [43], whereas 6 other articles found no difference in seizure outcomes between lesionectomy alone and extended resection [46,47,49,52,53,66]. Thus, the matter of surgical strategy remains controversial. The discordance among previous studies also raises an important question regarding the use of additional corticectomy or additional amygdalohippocampectomy for temporal lobe tumors [14,16,23,56,60,67-69]. Extended resections are mainly performed for temporal tumors, while there is a lack of reports detailing outcomes for extratemporal tumors [43,67,69-71]. One indicator that endorses the application of extended tailored resection is the presence of adjacent dual pathology, such as focal cortical dysplasia or hippocampal sclerosis, that can cause seizures after lesionectomy [56]. Therefore, what can currently be said with confidence is that extended resection may be considered, particularly when treating temporal tumors with evidence of dual pathology [56].
Utilization of intraoperative electrocorticography
Intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) or 2-stage surgery is performed when delineation of the epileptogenic zone is needed due to the presence of multifocal epileptogenic foci or a tumor location adjacent to functional areas. All 3 studies that investigated the association between the utilization of intraoperative ECoG and seizure outcome found that it is not related to higher rates of seizure freedom [49,66,72]. Other large reviews reported the same conclusion. However, caution must be taken when interpreting these results, as intraoperative ECoG is more likely to be used in more difficult cases that involve multifocal epileptogenic foci or tumors located near eloquent areas [56,57]. Other studies advocate for the utilization of intraoperative ECoG during tailored surgery [73-76]. Therefore, the use of intraoperative ECoG is advised when extended resection is anticipated [73].
Factors associated with cognitive outcome after epilepsy surgery for LEATs
Studies that addressed factors associated with preoperative full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ), longer duration of epilepsy, and younger age at seizure onset are universally mentioned as poor prognostic factors for preoperative FSIQ [15,16,52,54,55]. An explanation of this finding is reduced brain plasticity and a limited degree of possible postoperative cognitive gains [77,78]. The studies addressing cognitive outcome are summarized in Table 3, and more detailed information regarding the cognitive parameters is shown in Supplementary Table 2.
Postoperative cognitive function has been shown to significantly depend on preoperative cognitive function [15,54,55]. García-Fernández et al. [52]. reported that none of the various cognitive domains of a postoperative neuropsychological test performed 1 year after resection showed significant decline; on the contrary, there were statistically significant improvements in several cognitive domains (Supplementary Table 2). Ramantani et al. [55]. also reported that, at the group level, there was significant intraindividual improvement in verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) and performance IQ as well as a trend toward FSIQ improvement after epilepsy surgery. Finally, a study by Faramand et al. [15]. showed that postoperative FSIQ improved in 61% of children, declined in 36.5% of children, and was unchanged in 2.5% of children. The study by García-Fernández et al. [52]. mentioned above also showed poorer preoperative cognitive function in children with drug-resistant epilepsy, suggesting that it can be beneficial for surgery to occur before drug-resistant epilepsy develops.
Overall, earlier surgery can prevent low postoperative FSIQ in children, particularly young children, and that improved cognitive function can be expected following epilepsy surgery.
Conclusion
LEATs usually develop in children and young adults who present with seizures that are highly drug-resistant. Surgical treatment, however, is extremely effective, resulting in seizure freedom in approximately 70%–80% of cases. The achievement of gross total resection may be the most important prognostic factor for seizure freedom. Shorter duration of epilepsy, younger age at surgery, and extended resection of temporal lobe tumors have also been suggested as favorable prognostic factors for seizure control.
Poor cognitive function in children with LEATs is strongly associated with longer duration of epilepsy and younger age at seizure onset. Therefore, surgical treatment should be considered as an early option in children with LEATs prior to the diagnosis of drug-resistant epilepsy to protect the cognitive function of LEAT patients by averting recurrent seizures and the administration of multiple AEDs.
Supplementary materials
Supplementary Tables 1 and 2 can be found via https://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2019.01151.
Detailed summary of literatures on factors associated with seizure outcome in epilepsy surgery of low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors
Detailed summary of literatures on factors associated with cognitive outcome in epilepsy surgery of low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
ReferencesHolthausenHBlümckeIEpilepsy-associated tumours: what epileptologists should know about neuropathology, terminology, and classification systems20161824051BauchetLRigauVMathieu-DaudéHFabbro-PerayPPalenzuelaGFigarella-BrangerDClinical epidemiology for childhood primary central nervous system tumors2009928798KoobMGirardNCerebral tumors: specific features in children20149596583PortoLJurcoaneASchwabeDHattingenEConventional magnetic resonance imaging in the differentiation between high and low-grade brain tumours in paediatric patients201418259ForbesJAChamblessLBSmithJGWushenskyCALebowRLAlvarezJUse of T2 signal intensity of cerebellar neoplasms in pediatric patients to guide preoperative staging of the neuraxis2011716574ChenDYChenCCCrawfordJRWangSGTumor-related epilepsy: epidemiology, pathogenesis and management20181391321van BreemenMSWilmsEBVechtCJEpilepsy in patients with brain tumours: epidemiology, mechanisms, and management2007642130HildebrandJLecailleCPerennesJDelattreJYEpileptic seizures during follow-up of patients treated for primary brain tumors2005652125HarveyASCrossJHShinnarSMathernGWILAE Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Survey TaskforceDefining the spectrum of international practice in pediatric epilepsy surgery patients20084914655BlumckeISpreaficoRHaakerGCorasRKobowKBienCGHistopathological findings in brain tissue obtained during epilepsy surgery2017377164856JemalASiegelRWardEMurrayTXuJSmigalCCancer statistics, 200620065610630UllrichNJPomeroySLKapurKManleyPEGoumnerovaLCLoddenkemperTIncidence, risk factors, and longitudinal outcome of seizures in long-term survivors of pediatric brain tumors2015561599604ChanCHBittarRGDavisGAKalninsRMFabinyiGCLong-term seizure outcome following surgery for dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor2006104629GiulioniMGardellaERubboliGRoncaroliFZucchelliMBernardiBLesionectomy in epileptogenic gangliogliomas: seizure outcome and surgical results20061352935FaramandAMBarnesNHarrisonSGunnyRJacquesTTahirMZSeizure and cognitive outcomes after resection of glioneuronal tumors in children2018591708GiulioniMMarucciGPellicciaVGozzoFBarbaCDidatoGEpilepsy surgery of "low grade epilepsy associated neuroepithelial tumors": a retrospective nationwide Italian study201758183241AronicaECrinoPBEpilepsy related to developmental tumors and malformations of cortical development20141125168WolfHKBirkholzTWellmerJBlümckeIPietschTWiestlerODNeurochemical profile of glioneuronal lesions from patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsies19955468997WolfHKBusleiRBlümckeIWiestlerODPietschTNeural antigens in oligodendrogliomas and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors19979443643AronicaEYankayaBJansenGHLeenstraSvan VeelenCWGorterJAIonotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor protein expression in glioneuronal tumours from patients with intractable epilepsy20012722337FassunkeJMajoresMTreschANiehusmannPGroteASchochSArray analysis of epilepsy-associated gangliogliomas reveals expression patterns related to aberrant development of neuronal precursors2008131Pt 11303450AronicaEBoerKRedekerSSplietWGvan RijenPCTroostDDifferential expression patterns of chloride transporters, Na+-K+-2Cl--cotransporter and K+-Cl--cotransporter, in epilepsy-associated malformations of cortical development200714518596ZaghloulKASchrammJSurgical management of glioneuronal tumors with drug-resistant epilepsy201115315519SeifertGCarmignotoGSteinhäuserCAstrocyte dysfunction in epilepsy20106321221YeZCRothsteinJDSontheimerHCompromised glutamate transport in human glioma cells: reduction-mislocalization of sodium-dependent glutamate transporters and enhanced activity of cystine-glutamate exchange1999191076777AronicaEGorterJARedekerSRamkemaMSplietWGvan RijenPCDistribution, characterization and clinical significance of microglia in glioneuronal tumours from patients with chronic intractable epilepsy20053128091PrabowoASIyerAMAninkJJSplietWGvan RijenPCAronicaEDifferential expression of major histocompatibility complex class I in developmental glioneuronal lesions20131012VezzaniAFrenchJBartfaiTBaramTZThe role of inflammation in epilepsy201173140BoerKTroostDTimmermansWvan RijenPCSplietWGAronicaEPi3K-mTOR signaling and AMOG expression in epilepsy-associated glioneuronal tumors20102023444RajneeshKFBinderDKTumor-associated epilepsy200927E4RudàRTrevisanESoffiettiREpilepsy and brain tumors20102261120BartolomeiFBosmaIKleinMBaayenJCReijneveldJCPostmaTJHow do brain tumors alter functional connectivity? A magnetoencephalography study20065912838SteinhäuserCSeifertGGlial membrane channels and receptors in epilepsy: impact for generation and spread of seizure activity200244722737AronicaEGorterJAJansenGHLeenstraSYankayaBTroostDExpression of connexin 43 and connexin 32 gap-junction proteins in epilepsy-associated brain tumors and in the perilesional epileptic cortex200110144959SchmitzAKGroteARaabeAUrbachHFriedmanAvon LeheMAlbumin storage in neoplastic astroglial elements of gangliogliomas20132214450AlkonyiBMittalSZitronIChuganiDCKupskyWJMuzikOIncreased tryptophan transport in epileptogenic dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors201210736572CalatozzoloCPolloBBotturiADinapoliLCarosiMSalmaggiAMultidrug resistance proteins expression in glioma patients with epilepsy201211012935YouGShaZJiangTThe pathogenesis of tumor-related epilepsy and its implications for clinical treatment2012211539ShamjiMFFric-ShamjiECBenoitBGBrain tumors and epilepsy: pathophysiology of peritumoral changes20093227584BerntssonSGMalmerBBondyMLQuMSmitsATumor-associated epilepsy and glioma: are there common genetic pathways?20094895563RangerADiosyDSeizures in children with dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors of the brain--A review of surgical outcomes across several studies20153184755LeeJWWenPYHurwitzSBlackPKesariSDrappatzJMorphological characteristics of brain tumors causing seizures20106733642BabiniMGiulioniMGalassiEMarucciGMartinoniMRubboliGSeizure outcome of surgical treatment of focal epilepsy associated with low-grade tumors in children20131121423DaszkiewiczPKowalczykPRoszkowskiMSurgical treatment of neuronal-glial tumors of mesial-basal part of temporal lobe: Long term outcome and control of epilepsy in pediatric patients20185228PackerRJSuttonLNPatelKMDuhaimeACSchiffSWeinsteinSRSeizure control following tumor surgery for childhood cortical low-grade gliomas1994809981003KhajaviKComairYGWyllieEPalmerJMorrisHHHahnJFSurgical management of pediatric tumor-associated epilepsy1999141525BrahimajBGreinerHMLeachJLHornPSStevensonCBMilesLThe surgical management of pediatric brain tumors causing epilepsy: consideration of the epileptogenic zone201430138391MinkinKKleinOManciniJLenaGSurgical strategies and seizure control in pediatric patients with dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors: a single-institution experience2008120610Uliel-SibonySKramerUFriedIFattal-ValevskiAConstantiniSPediatric temporal low-grade glial tumors: epilepsy outcome following resection in 48 children20112714138YangJKimSKKimKJChaeJHLimBCWangKCSatellite lesions of DNET: implications for seizure and tumor control after resection201914343745EhrstedtCMoreiraNCCasar-BorotaOStrömbergBAhlstenGGlioneuronal tumors in childhood - Before and after surgery. A long-term follow-up study201772828García-FernándezMFournier-Del CastilloCUgalde-CanitrotAPérez-JiménezÁÁlvarez-LineraJDe Prada-VicenteIEpilepsy surgery in children with developmental tumours20112061627KhajaviKComairYGPraysonRAWyllieEPalmerJEstesMLChildhood ganglioglioma and medically intractable epilepsy. A clinicopathological study of 15 patients and a review of the literature1995221818KoAKimSHKimSHParkEKShimKWKangHCEpilepsy surgery for children with low-grade epilepsy-associated tumors: factors associated with seizure recurrence and cognitive function201991506RamantaniGKadishNEAnastasopoulosCBrandtAWagnerKStroblKEpilepsy surgery for glioneuronal tumors in childhood: avoid loss of time20147464857EnglotDJBergerMSBarbaroNMChangEFFactors associated with seizure freedom in the surgical resection of glioneuronal tumors201253517EnglotDJBergerMSBarbaroNMChangEFPredictors of seizure freedom after resection of supratentorial low-grade gliomas. A review20111152404SouthwellDGGarciaPABergerMSBarbaroNMChangEFLong-term seizure control outcomes after resection of gangliogliomas201270140613KirkpatrickPJHonavarMJanotaIPolkeyCEControl of temporal lobe epilepsy following en bloc resection of low-grade tumors1993781925BlümckeIWiestlerODGangliogliomas: an intriguing tumor entity associated with focal epilepsies20026157584YangIChangEFHanSJBarryJJFangSTihanTEarly surgical intervention in adult patients with ganglioglioma is associated with improved clinical seizure outcomes2011182933BlumeWTThe progression of epilepsy200647 Suppl 1718BreierJIMullaniNAThomasABWhelessJWPlengerPMGouldKLEffects of duration of epilepsy on the uncoupling of metabolism and blood flow in complex partial seizures199748104753Ben-AriYDudekFEPrimary and secondary mechanisms of epileptogenesis in the temporal lobe: there is a before and an after20101011825HauserWALeeJRDo seizures beget seizures?20021352159OgiwaraHNordliDRDiPatriAJAldenTDBowmanRMTomitaTPediatric epileptogenic gangliogliomas: seizure outcome and surgical results201052716GiulioniMRubboliGMarucciGMartinoniMVolpiLMichelucciRSeizure outcome of epilepsy surgery in focal epilepsies associated with temporomesial glioneuronal tumors: lesionectomy compared with tailored resection2009111127582PellicciaVDeleoFGozzoFSartoriIMaiRCossuMEarly and late epilepsy surgery in focal epilepsies associated with long-term epilepsy-associated tumors2017127114752CossuMFuschilloDBramerioMGalliCGozzoFPellicciaVEpilepsy surgery of focal cortical dysplasia-associated tumors201354 Suppl 911522GiulioniMMarucciGMartinoniMVolpiLRiguzziPMarlianiAFSeizure outcome in surgically treated drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy based on the recent histopathological classifications20131193747BonneyPAGlennCAEbelingPAConnerAKBoettcherLBCameronDMSeizure freedom rates and prognostic indicators after resection of gangliogliomas: a review201584198896NolanMASakutaRChuangNOtsuboHRutkaJTSneadOC3rdDysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors in childhood: long-term outcome and prognostic features20046222706SantosMVde OliveiraRSMachadoHRApproach to cortical dysplasia associated with glial and glioneuronal tumors (FCD type IIIb)201430186974LombardiDMarshRde TriboletNLow grade glioma in intractable epilepsy: lesionectomy versus epilepsy surgery199768704QiuBOuSSongTHuJYouLWangYIntraoperative electrocorticography-guided microsurgical management for patients with onset of supratentorial neoplasms manifesting as epilepsy: a review of 65 cases20141617584SuganoHShimizuHSunagaSEfficacy of intraoperative electrocorticography for assessing seizure outcomes in intractable epilepsy patients with temporal-lobe-mass lesions2007161207O'LearyDSLovellMRSackellaresJCBerentSGiordaniBSeidenbergMEffects of age of onset of partial and generalized seizures on neuropsychological performance in children19831716249VendrameMAlexopoulosAVBoyerKGregasMHautJLineweaverTLonger duration of epilepsy and earlier age at epilepsy onset correlate with impaired cognitive development in infancy2009164315Figure and Tables
Brain magnetic resonance image of a patient with a low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumor (ganglioglioma) before (A) and after (B) gross total resection.
Histopathological classification of 1,846 low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors obtained from patients undergoing epilepsy surgery [10]
Tumor diagnosis
No. (%)
Age at seizure onset (yr)
Duration of epilepsy (yr)
GG
986 (53.6)
12.1±10.3
11.4±10.4
DNT
565 (30.6)
14±10.9
12±10.7
Pilocytic astrocytoma
99 (5.4)
14.1±9.9
12.3 ±11.4
PXA
43 (2.3)
17.0±12.4
12.8±12.1
Isomorphic astrocytoma
17 (0.9)
16.0±14.3
11.4±10.5
Gangliocytoma
16 (0.9)
12.0±7.0
17.1±12.4
Angiocentric glioma
12 (0.7)
7.7±4.8
6.9±6.0
Low-grade tumor, not specified
108 (5.9)
14.6±13.2
11.5±10.1
Values are presented as number (%) or mean±standard devaition.
Summary of articles addressing factors associated with seizure outcomes after epilepsy surgery for low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors
Study
No. of patients
Seizure-free rate
Factors associated with poor seizure outcome
Babini et al. (2013) [43]
30
86.7%
Younger age at seizure onset
Tailored surgery (i.e., extended resection for epileptogenic foci) for temporal lobe tumors
Summary of articles addressing factors associated with cognitive outcomes after epilepsy surgery for low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors
Study
No. of patients
Parameters
Value
Factors associated with poor cognitive outcome
Faramand et al. (2018) [15]
22
Postoperative FSIQ
Seizure-free (n=14): 92.4 (range, 73–116)
Younger age at seizure onset
Low seizure severity (n=5): 105.0 (range, 71–126)
Persistent seizure after surgery
High seizure severity (n=3): 75.3 (range, 70–80)
High seizure severity after surgery
Faramand et al. (2018) [15]
90
Preoperative FSIQ
81 (IQR, 71–95)
Younger age at seizure onset
Longer duration of epilepsy
41
Postoperative FSIQ
86 (IQR, 71–100)
Low preoperative FSIQ
García-Fernández et al. (2011) [52]
21
Preoperative FSIQ
85.2±21.9
Younger age at seizure onset
Drug-resistant epilepsy before surgery
Postoperative FSIQ
88.6±17.7
None
Giulioni et al. (2017) [16]
Unknown
Preoperative NP test
Normal vs. pathologic (deficit)
Longer duration of epilepsy
Ko et al. (2019) [54]
58
Preoperative FSIQ
78.9±27.1
Longer duration of epilepsy
42
Postoperative FSIQ
80.9±28.7
Low preoperative FSIQ
Ramantani et al. (2014) [55]
25
Preoperative FSIQ
93.0±21.8
Longer duration of epilepsy
Preoperative VIQ
95.9±13.8
Longer duration of epilepsy
Preoperative PIQ
101.2±15.5
Younger age at seizure onset
24
Postoperative FSIQ
91.7±21.6
Low preoperative FSIQ
Values are presented as mean (range), median (interquartile range), or mean±standard deviation.