Hemispherotomy for atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor–associated drug-resistant epilepsy: illustrative case
Key Points
To evaluate hemispherotomy as a treatment option for drug-resistant epilepsy associated with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor.
Unilateral hemispherotomy performed on a patient with ATRT-related epilepsy
Assessment of preexisting deficits
Evaluation of surgical risks versus benefits
Hemispherotomy was well-tolerated by the patient
Significant reduction in seizure frequency observed post-surgery
Functional outcome considered acceptable despite the underlying tumor
Abstract
In carefully selected patients with aggressive tumor, unilateral seizure onset and preexisting deficits, hemispherotomy can be a well-tolerated and effective treatment for DRE, even in nontraditional contexts such as ATRT. This case highlights the importance of weighing surgical risks against functional baseline when considering epilepsy surgery in pediatric tumor cases. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24728.