Can small lesions induce language reorganization as large lesions do?

Brain Lang. 2004 Jun;89(3):433-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bandl.2004.01.002.

Abstract

Shift of the cortical mechanisms of language from the usually dominant left to the non-dominant right hemisphere has been demonstrated in the presence of large brain lesions. Here, we report a similar phenomenon in a patient with a cavernoma over the anterolateral superior temporal gyrus associated with epilepsy. Language mapping was performed by two complementary procedures, magnetoencephalography, and electrocorticography. The maps, indicated right temporal lobe dominance for receptive language and left frontal lobe dominance for expressive language. These results indicate that a small lesion, associated with epilepsy, may produce selective shifting of receptive language mechanisms as large lesions have been known to produce.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Mapping*
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Dominance, Cerebral*
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / etiology
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / pathology*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / surgery
  • Frontal Lobe / physiology*
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / complications
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / pathology
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / surgery
  • Humans
  • Language*
  • Magnetoencephalography
  • Male