Diagnostic evaluation of drug-resistant insular epilepsy

About 30% of patients with temporal epilepsy are resistant to antiepileptic drugs; in such cases, surgical treatment is considered to be the best option. Existence of an extra-temporal epileptogenic focus in the insula is a possible cause of seizures after temporal lobe surgery in about 20% of patients. Because of its localization, the anatomical features of the insular lobe, as well as the entire concept of insular epilepsy have not been well documented. Yet, it has been established that the seizures developing from the insular cortex can mimic the paroxysms arising from the temporal lobe. When the insula is involved in the epileptic process, resection of the insular cortex improves the outcome of surgical treatment. Rational and well-based selection of candidates for surgical treatment is of paramount importance for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The article presents a review of the up-to-date literature on this matter.