Successful Resection of Hypothalamic Hamartoma with Intractable Gelastic Seizures - by Transcallosal Subchoroidal Approach(cid:31)
Krishnapundha Bunyaratavej MD*,**, Chaichon Locharernkul MD*, Supatporn Tepmongkol MD*, Sukalaya Lerdlum MD*, Shanop Shuangshoti MD*, Surachai Khaoroptham MD**
Affiliation : (cid:31) This report was presented in the poster session at 5th Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Congress, Bangkok, Thailand. August 28-31, 2004 * Chulalongkorn Comprehensive Epilepsy Program (CCEP) under the Patronage of Professor Doctor HRH Princess Chulabhorn ** Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital
A 19-year old female with intractable gelastic seizures was found to have 0.7 x 1.8 x 1.8 cm elliptical mass on the floor of the third ventricle. The signal intensity on the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was consistent with the Hypothalamic Hamartoma (HH). Ictal EEG demonstrated rhythmic 7 Hz waves over Fp2, F4, and C4 with spreading to the right temporal region and then bilaterally. Ictal Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT) showed hyperperfusion at hypothalamic and medial frontopolar regions. The patient underwent surgical resection using Trans Callosal Subchoroidal Approach (TCSA) to the third ventricle. Pathological finding confirmed the diagnosis of hypothalamic hamartoma. Following the operation, she has been seizure free up to12 months. Thereafter, provoked seizures seldom occurred and there has been improvement in her memory, emotional control and independence. This appears to be the first report of this surgical approach for HH, which is less likely to disturb memory function compared to previously described interfoniceal approach.
Keywords : Hypothalamic hamartoma, Gelastic seizure, Transcallosal, Subchoroidal, SPECT, Epilepsy
