Surgical treatment of patients with low-grade astrocytomas and medically intractable seizures

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Low-grade astrocytomas can present with seizures that respond poorly to antiseizure medications, with a consequent reduction in the quality of life, because of both seizures and the medication's side-effects. We report our experience with operative treatment of such patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five patients (two children and three adults) with supratentorial low-grade astrocytomas associated with severe seizures were operated on. We followed the effects of the operation on post-operative neurological deficit, seizure frequency and the quality of life. RESULTS: No serious neurological complications followed the operations. The patients were followed for a median period of 12 months (6-46). Post-operatively, three of the patients became seizure-free, one experiences only auras, and one had a great reduction in seizure frequency and severity. All patients reported great improvement in their quality of life. CONCLUSION: Resections of low-grade astrocytomas in patients with medically intractable seizures are safe procedures that effectively control seizures in the majority of patients, resulting in significant improvement in the patients' quality of life.