Networks in Posterior Cortex Epilepsies

Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2020 Jul;31(3):325-334. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2020.03.002. Epub 2020 Apr 23.

Abstract

Posterior cortex epilepsies comprise all epilepsies with seizures generated from the occipital, parietal, and posterior temporal areas. Seizures usually occur early in life. Visual phenomena during seizures are the hallmark for occipital lobe seizures. Most patients show objective semiology mimicking seizures from other brain regions. Separation of symptomatogenic and epileptogenic zones complicates diagnosis. Understanding networks of propagation is crucial for planning surgery. An overview about typical clinical findings and prognostic value is presented. It explains ways to investigate the epileptogenic zone and propagation pathways to identify seizures from the posterior cortex and better categorize epilepsies for precise surgical treatment.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Intracranial EEG; Occipital; Parietal; Seizure propagation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology*
  • Epilepsy / surgery
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Neural Pathways / physiopathology
  • Occipital Lobe / physiopathology
  • Parietal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Seizures / physiopathology*
  • Seizures / surgery
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology