CORPUS CALLOSOTOMY IN CHILDREN

Unlike other types of surgical therapy of epilepsy, in which the epile ptic focus is identified and removed, corpus callosotomy is intended t o interrupt the propagation of epileptic discharges. The procedure was originally designed for patients with secondarily generalized seizure s in whom focal resections would not be feasible. However, beneficial effects can be seen in children with generalized seizures and no focal site of onset recordable. This may result from global diminution of s ynaptic connectivity in the cerebrum. The surgical technique is straig htforward, and it is generally possible to avoid postoperative problem s by staying out of the ventricular system. Long term follow up studie s of post-callosotomy patients are difficult to interpret because of l ack of accurate seizure counts and quality of life measures. While pre dicting those patients who will benefit from the surgery remains diffi cult, it appears that patients with ''drop'' attacks benefit the most from the procedure.