Temporal lobe resections in children with epilepsy: Neuropsychiatric status in relation to neuropathology and seizure outcome

The purpose of this work was to relate clinical neuropsychiatric findings to histopathological diagnoses and seizure outcome in a retrospective study of 16 children undergoing temporal lobe resections due to medically intractable epilepsy. These children constitute a heterogeneous group in which neuropsychiatric symptoms were common. The results of this study indicate a correlation between malformations of cortical development, less chance of seizure freedom, and neuropsychiatric problems in children with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy. It is important to include neuropsychiatric assessments pre- and postoperatively and to inform parents that symptoms of autism spectrum disorders may or may not be improved after epilepsy surgery. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).