Radiosurgery for hypothalamic hamartomas

Neurosurg Focus. 2008;24(5):E9. doi: 10.3171/FOC/2008/24/5/E9.

Abstract

Radiosurgery plays an important role in the treatment of refractory seizures induced by hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs). These lesions, deeply located and surrounded by a delicate vascular and neuronal network, are often associated with catastrophic epilepsy leading to progressive cognitive and behavioral deterioration. Surgical approaches include microsurgical resection, endoscopic resection or disconnection, radiofrequency lesioning, and interstitial brachytherapy. Radiosurgery is an emerging treatment modality for HHs, which provides excellent seizure outcomes and no lasting complications to date.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brachytherapy
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cranial Irradiation / methods*
  • Epilepsies, Partial / etiology
  • Epilepsies, Partial / physiopathology
  • Epilepsies, Partial / surgery
  • Female
  • Hamartoma / complications
  • Hamartoma / diagnosis
  • Hamartoma / radiotherapy
  • Hamartoma / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamic Diseases / complications
  • Hypothalamic Diseases / radiotherapy
  • Hypothalamic Diseases / surgery*
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Puberty, Precocious / etiology
  • Puberty, Precocious / surgery
  • Radiosurgery*
  • Treatment Outcome