Subcortical Band Heterotopia. Results from Two Cases Submitted to Anterior Nuclei of the Thalamus Stimulation.

Introduction: Patients with a neuronal migration disordered characterized by subcortical band heterotopia are prone to develop refractory epilepsy. Some attempts have been made to treat this condition surgically with Stereo-EEG and focal resections with discouraging results. In our series of deep brain stimulation of anterior nuclei of the thalamus (DBS-ANT), from 12 patients, 2 were due to this development disorder. Case Study: Seizure outcome was reviewed now at 12 and 18 months en patient 1 and 2. Both patients showed a greater than 50% decrease in seizure frequency and an increase in seizure free time. After surgery they both had a transient depressive syndrome that responded to anti-depressive medication. Discussion: Deep brain stimulation of ANT has shown a good seizure outcome in these two cases. We propose that this procedure could be considered in the treatment of patients with subcortical band heterotopia with refractory epilepsy. The etiology of depression is probably multifactorial but might be a transient adverse event of DBS-ANT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]