Seizure and anatomical outcomes of repeat laser amygdalohippocampotomy for temporal lobe epilepsy: A single-institution case series.

OBJECTIVE

In patients with treatment-refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), a single stereotactic laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) procedure is sometimes insufficient to ablate epileptogenic tissue, particularly the medial structures often implicated in TLE. In patients with seizure recurrence after initial ablation, the extent to which a second ablation may achieve improved seizure outcomes is uncertain. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and potential efficacy of repeat LITT amygdalohippocampotomy as a worthwhile strategy for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy by quantifying changes to targeted mesial temporal lobe structures and seizure outcomes.

METHODS

Patients who underwent two LITT procedures for drug-resistant mesial TLE at our institution were included in the study. Lesion volumes for both procedures were calculated by comparing post-ablation intraoperative sequences to preoperative anatomy. Clinical outcomes after the initial procedure and repeat procedure were classified according to Engel scores.

RESULTS

Five consecutive patients were included in this retrospective case series: 3 with right- and 2 with left-sided TLE. The median interval between LITT procedures was 294 days (range: 227-1918). After the first LITT, 3 patients experienced class III outcomes, 1 experienced a class IV, and 1 experienced a class IB outcome. All patients achieved increased seizure freedom after a second procedure, with class I outcomes (3 IA, 2 IB).

CONCLUSIONS

Repeat LITT may be sufficient to achieve satisfactory seizure outcomes in some individuals who might otherwise be considered for more aggressive resection or palliative neuromodulation. A larger study to establish the potential value of repeat LITT amygdalohippocampotomy vs. other re-operation strategies for persistent, intractable temporal lobe epilepsy is worth pursuing.