Temporal encephalocele (TE) is a rare but surgically treatable/curable cause of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The surgical intervention varies from local disconnection to extensive anterior temporal lobectomy and amygdalohippocampectomy (ATL/AH). Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) has evolved as a minimally invasive alternative for intractable epilepsy with good results, however, application of MRgLITT for intractable pediatric epilepsy secondary to TE has not been reported. We present a detailed technical report and clinical experience of MRgLITT in two adolescent children with medically intractable TLE secondary to TE. Pre-surgical evaluation revealed anterior inferior TE with concordant clinico-electrophysiological data. Both the patients underwent MRgLITT after review with the institutional multidisciplinary epilepsy team and discussion with the patient and the family. Both the patients were discharged on post-operative day one and have been seizure-free since the procedure at the last follow-up visit at 18 months and 6 months, respectively. The present series demonstrates first-ever clinical and technical experience of MRgLITT for TE with intractable pediatric epilepsy. The excellent post-operative seizure outcome and favorable postoperative course support MRgLITT as the first line of surgical intervention for TE with intractable TLE and broadens the application of MRgLITT.
Keywords: MRgLITT; epilepsy surgery; laser ablation; temporal encephalocele; temporal lobe epilepsy.