The role of sub-hippocampal versus hippocampal regions in bitemporal lobe epilepsies.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at better delineating the functional anatomical organization of bitemporal lobe epilepsy.

METHODS: We studied the epileptogenic zone (EZ) by quantifying the epileptogenicity of brain structures explored by depth electrodes in patients investigated by stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG). We compared 15 patients with bilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (BTLE) and 15 patients with unilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (UTLE). This quantification was performed using the 'Epileptogenicity Index' (EI).

RESULTS: Age at epilepsy onset, and epilepsy duration, were not statistically different in both groups. UTLE patients more frequently displayed maximal epileptogenicity in hippocampal structures, whereas BTLE patients had maximal values in subhippocampal areas (entorhinal cortex, temporal pole, parahippocampal cortex).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest different organization of the EZ in the two groups.

SIGNIFICANCE: BTLE was associated with more involvement of subhippocampal regions, a result in agreement with known anatomical connections between the two temporal lobes.