Abnormal behavior in children with temporal lobe epilepsy and ganglioglioma

Epilepsy Behav. 2004 Oct;5(5):788-91. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2004.06.018.

Abstract

Temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood is characterized by great clinical, electroencephalographic, and etiological diversity. The prognosis after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery in childhood is usually good, with most patients achieving complete seizure control. However, in some children behavior deteriorates postoperatively. We report two girls (2 and 6 years of age) with refractory seizures due to temporal lobe ganglioglioma. They exhibited aggression and hyperactivity since the beginning of their epilepsy. In both patients, behavioral disturbances worsened postoperatively, despite complete seizure control. Patients and parents should be advised about possible behavioral disturbances after epilepsy surgery, especially in the presence of a temporal lobe developmental tumor, even when seizure control is achieved postoperatively.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications*
  • Brain Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Child
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / complications*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / psychology*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / surgery
  • Female
  • Ganglioglioma / complications*
  • Ganglioglioma / psychology*
  • Ganglioglioma / surgery
  • Haloperidol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Mental Disorders / drug therapy
  • Mental Disorders / etiology*
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Haloperidol