DNET as cause of symptomatic epilepsy

Abstract

Dysembrioplastic Neuroepithelial Tumor (DNET) is a congenital, benign tumor due to a development abnormality of certain embryonic cells of the brain, frequently associated with epilepsy. These lesions typically cause refractory complex partial seizures with onset before age 20 years in neurologically normal individuals who have no evidence of neuro cutaneous syndrome. At least 80 % of patients are rendered seizure-free after resection of these lesions. We present the case of a 40 years old woman with complex partial seizures who underwent resective surgery for DNET, and had a good outcome after surgery. We would like to draw attention of the clinicians to this potentially curable type of symptomatic epilepsy.