Philippe Kahane – författare

No other neurological condition allows the same opportunities for an intracranial electrophysiological study of the human brain as epilepsy does. Epileptic surgery is designed to remove the epileptic focus from the human brain, thereby effecting either cure or substantial reduction of seizures in an individual with an otherwise intractable condition. Its use as a treatment modality dates from the late 19th century, and it has become a widely used treatment option throughout the world in the last 20-30 years. The complexity of epilepsy cases in surgical centres, and the need for invasive electrode studies for pre-surgical evaluation, are both greatly increasing. Invasive Studies of the Human Epileptic Brain is the definitive reference text on the use of invasive electroencephalographic (EEG) diagnostic studies in human epilepsy. Written by some of the most renowned epilepsy experts of the 20th and 21st centuries, the authors provide their expertise and insights into the identification and mapping of intracranial epileptiform and non-epileptiform activity, mapping of the human brain function, and approaches in the use of invasive electroencephalography in a variety of clinical situations. The book is organized into an easily readable series of chapters and is brilliantly illustrated with case studies; each providing an intuitively comprehensive approach to invasive brain studies.

No other neurological condition allows the same opportunities for an intracranial electrophysiological study of the human brain as epilepsy does. Epileptic surgery is designed to remove the epileptic focus from the human brain, thereby effecting either cure or substantial reduction of seizures in an individual with an otherwise intractable condition. Its use as a treatment modality dates from the late 19th century, and it has become a widely used treatment option throughout the world in the last 20-30 years. The complexity of epilepsy cases in surgical centres, and the need for invasive electrode studies for pre-surgical evaluation, are both greatly increasing. Invasive Studies of the Human Epileptic Brain is the definitive reference text on the use of invasive electroencephalographic (EEG) diagnostic studies in human epilepsy. Written by some of the most renowned epilepsy experts of the 20th and 21st centuries, the authors provide their expertise and insights into the identification and mapping of intracranial epileptiform and non-epileptiform activity, mapping of the human brain function, and approaches in the use of invasive electroencephalography in a variety of clinical situations. The book is organized into an easily readable series of chapters and is brilliantly illustrated with case studies; each providing an intuitively comprehensive approach to invasive brain studies.

Over 12 million people with epilepsy have seizures that cannot be controlled by antiepileptic drugs. The term "drug-resistance" is abundantly used in the epilepsy literature but the definitions proposed differ considerably. It is used indifferently in a number of different settings: as a criterion for selection of patients eligible for new antiepileptic drug trials, for the selection of surgical candidates, for the design of epidemiological studies, for the design of studies on quality of life, for the definition of the epileptic encephalopathies (in comparison to more benign epilepsy syndromes), to mention but a few. As a result, available studies are usually not comparable and referral to epilepsy specialists is unacceptably delayed. The volume includes several focused chapters on all issues relating to drug-resistance and offers the basis for a consensus on a clinically meaningful core definition.

Having appeared in the 1930s in Montreal, standardised neuropsychological evaluation has become an essential tool in the clinical diagnosis and evaluation of surgical epileptic patients. Nevertheless, despite great progress over the last 20 to 30 years in the diagnosis and medical treatment of epilepsy, clinical neuropsychology still remains largely associated with surgical epilepsy, particularly surgery of the temporal lobe. Clinical neurology has still not managed to clear a way in the daily practice with patients with all types of epilepsy despite significant advances in cognitive neuroscience and a large number of clinical studies on epilepsy and cognition. How is it that there are only rarely major advances in the field of clinical neuropsychology? It has long been time for this question to be asked, and for an attempt to be made to bring about changes. This was the aim of the Toronto workshop and the result of this book. Every approach was debated, providing important elements to reflect on and allowing a great forum for exchanges. This book includes the communications from the main participants and comments from some others on specific subjects.

Epilepsy in children may take on very different forms ranging from mild to severe disabling syndromes. For certain kinds of refractory epilepsy resistant to anti-epileptic drugs and certain kinds of etiology, surgery can reduce the number of seizures and even eliminate them altogether. However, these interventions are highly technical and require advanced technology; therefore, surgeons must have a perfect command of the techniques. Young patients who are potential candidates for surgery go through a rigorous selection process (tests and assessments). To properly treat these patients, the right imaging tests must be carried out and correctly. Surgeons must have an in-depth knowledge of their patients syndromes as well as of the surgical technique. Finally, after surgery a close follow-up must be done on patients to assess the benefits. Also included in this book is a section on unsuccessful cases in which sometimes surgery does not control the disease and on how to manage them. Very few publications exist that provide a complete overview of neurosurgery for pediatric epilepsy. In this very comprehensive book, the authors sought to compile all the information needed to properly treat these young patients. The authors address pre-surgical evaluation in children, semiology of epileptic seizures, etiology, surgical techniques, palliative surgery and following surgery. Accompanied by the most renowned international specialists from various fields, the authors have created a guide that will remain a reference in the field for over the next ten years.