Surgical outcome and predictive factors in adult patients with intractable epilepsy and focal cortical dysplasia.

Objectives: To determine the surgical outcome and prognostic factors in adult patients with intractable epilepsy and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively studied the operative outcome in 21 consecutive adult patients with FCD who underwent surgical treatment for intractable partial epilepsy.

Results: The mean age at surgery was 32.

Use of principal component analysis in the frequency domain for mapping electroencephalographic activities: comparison with phase-encoded Fourier spectral analysis.

Principal component analysis (PCA) can separate multichannel electroencephalographic (EEG) epochs into linearly independent (temporally and spatially noncorrelated) components. Results of PCA include component time-series waveforms and factors representing the contribution of each component to each electrode; these factors may be displayed as contour maps representing the topographic distribution of each component. However, PCA often does not achieve the most useful separation of components.

Resective reoperation for failed epilepsy surgery: seizure outcome in 64 patients.

Objective: To determine the surgical outcome and factors of predictive value in patients undergoing reoperation for intractable partial epilepsy.

Methods: The authors retrospectively studied the operative outcome in 64 consecutive patients who underwent reoperation for intractable partial epilepsy. Demographic data, results of comprehensive preoperative evaluations, and the seizure and neurologic outcome after reoperation were determined.

EEG changes with carotid sinus baroreflex during carotid endarterectomy.

We describe EEG changes in three patients in whom the carotid sinus baroreflex was precipitated during carotid endarterectomy. In all instances, the EEG showed diffuse attenuation and slowing of the baseline anesthetic pattern in association with bradyvcardia. This can help alert the surgeon to the changes occurring as a result of the cardioinhibitory carotid sinus baroreflex and guide appropriate timely intervention.