The anterior sylvian point as a reliable landmark for the anterior temporal lobectomy in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: technical note, case series, and cadaveric dissection

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is one of the most prevalent forms of focal epilepsy in surgical series, particularly among adults. Over the decades, different surgical strategies have been developed to address drug-resistant epilepsy while safeguarding neurological and cognitive functions. Among these strategies, anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL), involving the removal of the temporal pole and mesial temporal structures, has emerged as a widely employed technique. Numerous modifications have been proposed to mitigate the risks associated with aphasia, cognitive issues, and visual field defects.