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Focal lesions in the splenium of the corpus callosum in patients with epilepsy
Author(s) -
Gröppel Gudrun,
Gallmetzer Paolo,
Prayer Daniela,
Serles Wolfgang,
Baumgartner Christoph
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01800.x
Subject(s) - splenium , corpus callosum , epilepsy , medicine , ictal , lesion , electroencephalography , anesthesia , epilepsy syndromes , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , pathology , psychiatry , white matter
Summary Purpose: A focal lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum is a rare finding in patients with epilepsy. Intoxication with antiepileptic drugs, edema after generalized seizures, or a rapid change of antiepileptic drug levels have been proposed as possible mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between this lesion and possible etiologic factors. Patients and methods: We analyzed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 1,050 patients undergoing prolonged video‐EEG (electroencephalography) monitoring and identified 24 patients with a focal lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum. Twenty‐four age‐ and gender‐matched temporal lobe epilepsy patients without such a lesion served as a control group. We evaluated the following parameters for their possible etiologic significance: epilepsy syndrome, seizure types in medical history, seizure frequency during the past year prior to admission for prolonged video‐EEG monitoring, localization of interictal spikes and ictal EEG patterns in patients with focal epilepsies as documented during prolonged video‐EEG‐monitoring, seizure types and seizure frequency during prolonged video‐EEG monitoring, past as well as current antiepileptic medication, withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs during monitoring including duration of medication withdrawal, and finally drug levels above the therapeutic range. Results : The parameters analyzed showed no significant difference between the group of patients with focal lesions in the splenium of the corpus callosum and the control group. Conclusion: We could not identify a single etiologic factor responsible for the lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum.