Minimally Invasive Treatment Reduces Seizures in Hypothalamic Hamartomas

Source: Epilepsia

Summary

This study looked at the long-term results of a treatment called stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation (SRT) for patients with hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs), which are brain growths that can cause difficult-to-control seizures. The research was conducted at the University of Freiburg and included 35 patients, mostly children, who had at least 12 months of follow-up after their treatment. The study aimed to see how effective this method was in reducing seizures and what factors might influence the outcomes.

The key findings showed that 60% of patients were seizure-free one year after their last SRT treatment. Additionally, a high percentage of patients were free from specific types of seizures, such as bilateral tonic-clonic seizures and gelastic seizures. After surgery, patients also needed fewer antiseizure medications, going from an average of two medications before surgery to one afterward. While some patients experienced mild complications, the study found that the size of the hamartoma did not significantly affect the chances of being seizure-free or experiencing complications.

These results are important because they suggest that SRT can be an effective and less invasive option for treating seizures caused by hypothalamic hamartomas. However, the study has some limitations, including that it was conducted at a single center and involved a relatively small number of patients. More research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the best ways to treat this condition.

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