Relationship of seizure frequency to hippocampus volume and metabolism in temporal lobe epilepsy

Purpose: To examine the relationship between frequency of complex partial ( CPS) and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures (sGTCS) on hippocamp al volume (HV) temporal lobe metabolism. Methods: We performed volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and posit ron emission tomography with (18)fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)FDG-PET) in 32 pat ients with epilepsy. Temporal lobe foci were localized by ictal video-EEG. Results: We did not find any association between CPS frequency or lifetime number of sGTCS and HV or metabolism ipsilateral to electroencephalographic focus. Conclusion: The progress of metabolic or pathologic abnormalities of tempor al lobe epilepsy may not be altered by adequate seizure control. The presen ce of an epileptic focus might be associated with progressive neuronal inju ry even in clinically well-controlled patients.