Stereoelectroencephalography-Guided Laser Ablations in Patients With Neocortical Pharmacoresistant Focal Epilepsy: Concept and Operative Technique

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Laser ablation surgery has had encouraging results in the treatment of multiple intracranial diseases including primary and metastatic brain tumors, radiation necrosis, and epilepsy. The use of the stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) method in combination with laser thermocoagulation therapy with the goal of modulating epileptic networks in patients with neocortical nonlesional phamacoresistant epilepsy has not been previously described. OBJECTIVE: To describe the novel methodological and conceptual aspects related to SEEG-guided laser ablations in patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative pharmacoresistant neocortical focal epilepsy. METHODS: Guided by previous SEEG intracranial data, a laser ablation probe was inserted by using a robotic guidance device in a 17-yr-old medically refractory epilepsy patient with difficult to localize seizures and nonlesional MRI. The laser applicator position was confirmed by MRI, targeting the left mesial rostral superior frontal gyrus. The ablation was performed under multiplanar digital imaging views and real-time thermal imaging and treatment estimates in each plane. A postablation MRI (contrasted T1 sequence) confirmed the ablation's location and size. RESULTS: The entire procedure was achieved in approximately 100 min. The actual ablation was performed in less than 3 min. Approximately, additional 30 min preoperatively were used for positioning and robot registration. Precise placement of laser application (in comparison with preplanned trajectories) was achieved using the robotic guidance and confirmed by the intraoperative magnetic resonance images. No complications were reported. The patient has been seizure-free since surgery. The follow-up period is 20 mo. Two additional patients, treated with similar methodology, are also described. CONCLUSION: The preliminary experience with the described method shows the feasibility of a unique combination of the SEEG methodology with laser thermocoagulation in patients with neocortical MRI-negative pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy.