ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of Electro-Cortico-Graphy (ECOG) monitoring on refractory epilepsy caused by double pathology. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 10 patients with refractory epilepsy who underwent surgical treatment in Hunan Brain Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021. The diagnosis of postoperative disease was dual pathology of medial temporal lobe sclerosis (MTS) and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), and the effect of oral drugs was poor. All patients underwent full preoperative evaluation to determine the scope of excision of epileptogenic lesions. Cortical electrodes were used to monitor the location and scope of epileptic discharge during the operation. Epileptogenic lesions were excised, cortical heat cautery was performed, and then cortical EEG monitoring was performed to adjust the excision strategy. The patients were followed up for 24 to 48 months, and the prognosis was assessed according to the Engel scale. ResultsAmong the 10 patients, 1 patient had acute subdural hemorrhage after surgery, 1 patient had speech and naming disorders, but all of them were recovered at discharge. The other patients had no neurological defects such as intracranial infection, hemiplegia, aphasia, etc. Engel grade I was observed in 9 cases (90%) and Engel grade III was observed in 1 case (10%). ConclusionCortical electrode monitoring is safe and effective for refractory epilepsy caused by double pathological signs.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with refractory magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative epilepsy and to evaluate potential clinical predictors. MethodsA retrospective collection of efficacy data was conducted on 24 patients with intractable MRI-negative epilepsy treated with VNS, who were followed up for more than six months, at Beijing Tiantan Hospital and Beijing Fengtai Hospital from January 2016 to September 2023. Patients were divided into two subgroups based on their response to VNS: responders (≥50% reduction in seizure frequency) and non-responders (<50% reduction in seizure frequency). The relationship between preoperative clinical data and VNS efficacy was further analyzed to identify potential predictors of VNS efficacy. ResultsA total of 24 patients were included, with an average age of (14.26±8.39) years old. Seizure frequency was reduced by more than 50% in 37.5% of patients, and 8.3% of patients achieved seizure-free after VNS treatment. Preoperative seizure frequency and interictal epileptiform discharge type were significantly associated with VNS efficacy (P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that a monthly seizure frequency of less than 100 and focal interictal epileptiform discharges were independent predictors of VNS efficacy (P<0.05). ConclusionVNS is an effective treatment for patients with refractory MRI-negative epilepsy. Lower monthly seizure frequency and focal interictal epileptiform discharges are potential predictors of VNS efficacy. These findings provide important references for clinicians in selecting and evaluating patients for VNS treatment.
Objective To investigate the clinicalmanifestations, electroencephalogram (EEG) characteristics, surgical treatment and prognosis of epilepsy secondary to Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) in children.Methods The data of 7 children with epilepsysecondaryto Sturge-Weber syndrome who were treated by surgery from May 2015 to May 2020 in our Children's Epilepsy Center were retrospectively reviewed. Their demographic characteristics, seizure forms, results of EEG and cranial imaging investigations, surgical methods, postoperative pathological reports and prognosis during follow-upwere summarized and analyzed. The prognosis were evaluated byEngel classificationat the last time point during follow-up. Results Totally 7 pediatric patients were enrolled, including 1 male (16/25, 64.0%) and 6 females.All the 7 cases presented with focal seizures at the onset among whom 2 cases developed status epilepticus during the course of the disease(epilepsiapartialiscontinuain 1 case),one case had epileptic spasmsand 1 case was characterized by cluster seizures. The interictal EEG manifestations of the cases gradually deteriorated as the course of the disease prolonged, including the slow wave on the affected side gradually increases (7/7), the amplitude gradually decreases (7/7), and the physiological wave disappears (4/7). Besides, no epileptiform discharges/incidental or a few epileptiform dischargeswere found in their interictal EEGs. Four cases underwent hemispherotomy, 1 case underwent temporo-parieto-occipital disconnection and 2 cases underwent lesion resection. The cases were followed up for 6 months to 5 years, and the average follow-up duration was 79.29 months. Six cases were rated as Engel Ⅰa during the regularfollow-up. Only 1 case was rated asEngel Ⅱ and Engel Ⅲ at 3 month and 1 year after the operation. ConclusionChildren with epilepsy secondary to SWS usually present with focal seizures and have diverse seizure forms. The EEG show characteristic changes. For the caseswith drug refractory epilepsy, detailed preoperative evaluation and reasonable surgical methods can result in a better therapeutic effect.
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between mTOR pathway and pharmacoresistance of Sprague-Dawley rat epilepsy model kindled by coriaria lactone. MethodsA kindling model of pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy was developed by injecting Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with coriaria lactone (CL) (1.75 mg/kg, every 84 h). Normal SD rats were injected with normal sodium (NS) served as control group. Rats with five or more consecutive stage 5 seizures were included in kindled group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the levels of P-S6 in both groups. ResultsThe expressions of P-S6 in CA1 and CA3 were significantly higher compared with control group, and were mainly in astrocytes (P < 0.001). In addition, the expression of P-S6 in DG area was significantly higher than that in control group, with more granular cell and neuron (P < 0.001). ConclusionsThe mTOR pathway may be correlated with the drug resistance of refractory lobe epilepsy kindled by coriaria lactone.
Ketogenic diet (KD) is one of the effective treatments for refractory epilepsy (RE) and is recommended when anti-seizure medications (ASMs) are ineffective or less effective, inoperable or ineffective. The efficacy of the medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) ketogenic diet is as good as the classical KD (CKD), which has been demonstrated in several retrospective, prospective, and randomized studies, and MCT is more ketogenic than long-chain triglycerides, so MCTD allows more carbohydrate and protein foods, which makes MCTD more palatable than CKD more palatable. Research advances in the mechanisms and clinical efficacy associated with MCTD in the treatment of refractory epilepsy are reviewed.
In the treatment of drug-refractory epilepsy in children, surgical treatment has a good clinical effect. However, for children whose surgical site is difficult to determine and who cannot undergo resectional surgery, neuromodulation techniques are one of the treatments that can be considered. At present, new neuromodulation technologies in children mainly include transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation, ta-VNS), deep brain stimulation (deep brain stimulation, DBS), reactive nerve stimulation (responsive neurostimulation, RNS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation, TDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (transcranial alternating current stimulation, TACS). This article briefly discussed the clinical efficacy and safety of various currently available neuromodulation technologies, so as to provide a reference for the rational selection and application of neuromodulation technologies, and improve the clinical efficacy and quality of life of children with drug-refractory epilepsy.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the risk factors of refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in children. MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, CBM, VIP, and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched for case-control studies and cohort studies on the risk factors of RMPP in children from inception to March 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 27 case-control studies involving 3 967 children with RMPP and 11 613 children with common MPP were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that heat course (OR=2.07, 95%CI 1.98 to 2.16, P<0.000 01), length of hospital stay (OR=1.42, 95%CI 1.14 to 1.69, P<0.000 01), recurrent respiratory tract infection (OR=8.51, 95%CI 6.15 to 11.77, P<0.000 01), level of IL-6 (OR=21.95, 95%CI 20.85 to 23.06, P<0.000 01), level of CRP (OR=2.41, 95%CI 1.94 to 2.87, P<0.000 01), level of LDH (OR=0.79, 95%CI 0.53 to 1.06, P<0.000 01), level of ESR (OR=2.65, 95%CI 1.13 to 4.18, P=0.000 6), combined pleural effusion (OR=9.42, 95%CI 3.65 to 24.31, P<0.000 01), combined with extrapulmonary complications (OR=3.33, 95%CI 2.42 to 4.58, P<0.000 01), large lung consolidation (OR=12.31, 95%CI 5.42 to 27.99, P<0.000 01) were the risk factors for RMPP. ConclusionsCurrent evidence indicates that heat course, length of hospital stay, repeated respiratory tract infection, high level of IL-6, high level of CRP, high level of LDH, high level of ESR, combined pleural effusion, combined extrapulmonary complications, and large lung consolidation are risk factors for children with RMPP. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify the above conclusions.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in the treatment of refractory epilepsy in children and the key factors affecting its efficacy. MethodsThe clinical data of 22 children with drug-resistant epilepsy who received VNS treatment in the Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province from January 2016 to April 2023 were analyzed. The average seizure reduction rate, effective rate and McHugh grade were used to evaluate the efficacy of VNS after at least 1 year follow-up. Patients with an attack reduction rate of ≥50% were defined as respondents, and Mann-Witney U test and χ2 test were used, respectively, to conduct univariate and multifactor Logistics regression analysis with statistically significant indicators (P<0.05). ResultsAmong the 22 patients, the average attack reduction rate was 12.66% at 1 month, 26.10% at 3 months, 37.47% at 6 months, 48.18% at 9 months and 54.38% at 12 months. The effective rate was 5.00%, 9.00%, 36.00%, 50.00% and 68.00%, respectively. 12 months after operation, there were 3 cases of grade I, 12 cases of grade II, 7 cases of grade III, and 0 cases of grade V. Unifactorial and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the curative effect of epilepsy in children was related to the seizure type, among which the curative effect of general seizure was better than that of focal seizure (OR=0.062, P=0.014), and the curative effect of myoclonic seizure and tonic seizure was better than that of other types in general seizure. ConclusionThe clinical effect of VNS in the treatment of refractory epilepsy in children is time cumulative, and the surgical effect of myoclonic seizures and tonic seizures in general seizures is better.
ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness and safety of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with inner limiting membrane (ILM) removal and 41G microneedle subretinal injection of balanced salt solution (BSS) in the treatment of refractory macular hole. MethodsA prospective clinical study. From January to June 2023, 20 cases (20 eyes) of refractory macular hole patients diagnosed through examination at The Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University were included in the study. The basal diameter of the affected eye's basal diameter (BD) was ＞1 000 μm. Macular hole index (MHI) was ＜0.5. The affected eye received treatment with 23G PPV combined with ILM removal and 41G microneedle subretinal injection of BSS. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), microperimetry, and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were performed before and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after surgery for the affected eye. BCVA examination was performed using standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, and convert it to logarithmic minimum resolution angle (logMAR) visual acuity for statistical purposes. MP-3 microperimetry was used for micro view examination, record the mean sensitivity (MS) of the retinal within a 12° range of the fovea. OCTA was used to measure the area of the avascular zone of the macula (FAZ), perimeter of the FAZ (PERIM), retinal vascular length density (VLD), and vascular perfusion density (VPD). The changes in BCVA, MS, FAZ area, PERIM, VLD, VPD before and after surgery were compared and analyzed. After the same time, the closure of macular hole and the occurrence of complications after surgery were observed. Single factor analysis of variance was used to compare the observation indicators at different times before and after surgery. The correlation between various observation indicators and preoperative minimum diameter (MD), BD, and hiatus height at 6 months after surgery were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. ResultsAmong the 20 cases with 20 eyes, there were 2 males with 2 eyes and 18 females with 18 eyes. Age was (61.45±8.56) years old. The logMAR BCVA, MS, FAZ area, PERIM, VLD, and VPD of the affected eye were 1.46±0.21, (16.20±5.81) dB、(0.40±0.17) mm2, (2.89±0.99) mm, (6.23±3.59) mm−1, (0.17±0.10)%, respectively. Six months after surgery, out of 20 eyes, macular hole closure and incomplete closure were 18 (90.0%, 18 /20) and 2 (10.0%, 2 /20) eyes, respectively. The logMAR BCVA, MS, FAZ area, PERIM, VLD, and VPD were 0.80±0.20, (22.20±4.60) dB, (0.18±0.10) mm2, (1.83±0.80) mm, (9.54±2.88) mm−1, (0.31±0.14)%. Compared with before surgery, the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05). The correlation analysis results showed a positive correlation (P＜0.05) between preoperative BD and postoperative 6-month PERIM and VPD. There was a negative correlation between preoperative MD and postoperative VLD at 6 months (P＜0.05). There was a negative correlation between preoperative MHI and logMAR BCVA and VPD at 6 months after surgery (P＜0.05). No complications such as elevated or decreased intraocular pressure, damage to retinal pigment epithelium, retinal hemorrhage, endophthalmitis, or retinal detachment occurred after surgery in all affected eyes. ConclusionMinimally invasive PPV combined with ILM removal and 41G microneedle subretinal injection of BSS can effectively improve the closure rate of refractory macular hole patients in the short term, improve vision, and have good safety.
ObjectiveTuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem disease, which often manifests as refractory epilepsy in the nervous system and multifocality in Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We summarized patients with TSC whose peripheral blood gene test was negative,and analyzed their medical history, EEG, MRI and postoperative conditions. MethodsWe summarized and analyzed 205 patients with TSC diagnosed clinically and pathologically and underwent surgery from April 2008 to February 2024. 11 patients with TSC whose peripheral blood gene test was negative and underwent surgery were screened out.All patients underwent gene examination, MRI and long-range video EEG monitoring. All patients underwent detailed preoperative evaluation and direct resection surgery, intracranial electrode thermocoagulation surgery or laser surgery. ResultsOf the 11 patients with peripheral blood gene test negative, 11 (100%) patients achieved Engel Ⅰ within 1 year after surgery, and 10 (91%) patients achieved Engel Ⅰwithin 2 years. The median age of onset of 11 patients was 6 months, and 8 patients (73%) had onset less than 1 year old. All patients had multiple nodules in the brain. Except for the brain, the changes of the other organs were polycystic kidney and skin changes in 2 patients, skin changes in 8 patients, and normal in 1 patients. ConclusionTSC patients with peripheral blood gene negative who have young onset age, frequent seizures, and multiple nodules on MRI often present with refractory epilepsy. However, the postoperative effect is good, and the postoperative EEG of most patients is normal.