Problems of Analysis and Interpretation of Electrocerebral Signals in Human Epilepsy. A Neurosurgeon's View

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses problems of analysis and interpretation of electrocerebral signals in human epilepsy from a neurosurgical point of view. The prime object of surgical treatment of epilepsy is the removal of the causal brain pathology and of the brain tissue giving origin to the paroxysmal discharge responsible for the seizure, namely, the epileptogenic zone. If only one epileptogenic zone is found responsible for the epileptic syndrome, surgery can lead to the definitive disappearance of the seizures. Surgery can also be taken into consideration to interrupt the pathway or pathways of propagation of the paroxysmal discharge from the epileptogenic area to other cerebral regions. In a few cases, surgical treatment aims at the prevention of diffusion and generalization of the epileptic discharge but does not suppress it. The first necessary prerequisite for surgical treatment of epilepsy is the identification and accurate spatial location of the epileptogenic zone. The problems of analysis and interpretation of electrocerebral signals in epilepsy are many and can be faced in several ways.