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

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.