Challenges in the Surgical Treatment of Epilepsy: Hypothalamic Hamartoma in Infancy - Case report

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hypothalamic hamartoma is a rare congenital malformation, characterized by epilepsy, especially gelastic seizures, psychomotor developmental delay, mental retardation, behavioral disorders and precocious puberty. Epilepsy has early onset and is usually medically refractory. Etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear. The EEG can present disorganization and slowing of background activity and multifocal and/or generalized epileptogenic discharges. OBJECTIVE: To report the difficulties and challenges of neurosurgical treatment of a hypothalamic hamartoma in an infant. CASE REPORT: Infant with seizures since eight months old of age. The neurological investigation revealed a lesion in tuber cinereum suggestive of hamartoma. The epilepsy evolved with resistance to antiepileptic drugs, requiring neurosurgical procedure. The endoscopic resection could not be performed because the hamartoma was firmly attached to the hypothalamus. Currently, the child remains with tonic, clonic and atonic seizures. DISCUSSION: Lesionectomy performed by microsurgery or radiosurgery seems to be the most effective treatment for seizure control in patients with hypothalamic hamartomas who do not respond to clinical treatment. Callosotomy may be effective in selected cases, and lobectomy/cortical resections are not related to seizure control. In some patients, particularly in infants, lesionectomy and radiosurgery may be technically unfeasible.