MRgLITT and Surgery Offer Similar Seizure Control for Epilepsy

Source: Epilepsy research

Summary

A recent study looked at two different treatments for people with epilepsy caused by a brain condition called focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) that shows up on MRI scans. The treatments compared were magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) and resective surgery (RS). The researchers reviewed 34 studies that included a total of 1,162 patients to see how well each treatment worked in reducing seizures and what complications might arise from them.

The findings showed that both MRgLITT and RS had similar success rates in helping patients become seizure-free, with about 71% of MRgLITT patients and 66% of RS patients achieving this outcome. The overall rates of complications from both treatments were also similar, around 12% for MRgLITT and 11% for RS. However, MRgLITT was linked to a higher chance of temporary neurological problems, occurring in 15% of patients compared to 6% for RS. Permanent complications were not significantly different between the two treatments.

These results are important because they provide insights into the effectiveness and risks of both treatment options for drug-resistant epilepsy. However, the study has some limitations, such as the quality of the studies reviewed and differences in how they were conducted. More well-designed studies are needed to confirm these findings and help doctors make better decisions about which treatment to recommend for patients.

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