PROBLEMS RELATED TO EPILEPSY NEUROSURGERY IN CHILDHOOD

Neurosurgery of epilepsy in children has undergone rapid development d uring the past decade. This was justified by the high incidence of int ractable epilepsy and its consequences on cognitive development. Any d ecision in the area of surgery must take in account specific etiology and the rapid maturation of the infant's brain. As in adulthood, both the epileptogenic and the functional zones must be identified, but thi s is a challenge when the brain is not mature and the functions not ye t developed In addition, the ability to recover must be determined. At the present time no precise methodology can be advised for presurgica l work-up and surgical indications.