Seizure outcome in adult patients with supratentorial cavernomas

Abstract

Background: cavernomas are usually found in the supratentorial area, and epileptic seizures are one of the presenting symptoms. Objective: this study aims to provide the seizure outcome in adult patients who underwent surgical excision of single supratentorial cavernomas. Materials and methods: a total of 23 patients with single supratentorial cavernomas were operated between May 2011 and January 2019. Pre- and postoperative seizure semiology, clinical, and radiological findings were collected from medical records. At the last follow-up, each patient was seen during regular visits and clinical variables were noted. Results: the mean age was 37.08 10.5 years, and 11 (57.8%) and 12 (52.2%) were females and males, respectively. Headache (43.5%) and seizure (43.5%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Cavernomas were located on the right side in 13 and on the left side in 10 patients. The most common locations were the frontal (43.5%) and temporal (43.5%) lobes. The mean follow-up in this series was 41.4 +/- 30.8 months. Our results showed that surgery was effective in seizure outcome, as almost 70% of patients who had seizure before surgery was seizure free after surgery, and the difference between those who had seizure pre- and postoperative periods was statistically significant (p=0.0001). Conclusion: surgery is safe and effective for supratentorial cavernomas. The excision of cavernoma together with the surrounding hemosiderin should be performed to obtain a satisfactory seizure outcome.