Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and the Hippocampus

Abstract

Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is the commonest cause of temporal lobe epilepsy which accounts for 3-50% of all epilepsy syndromes. This chapter reviews the pathological substrate of HS and mesial temporal sclerosis and how this relates to epileptogenesis and seizures. It then discusses the clinical picture of different forms of temporal lobe epilepsy and common findings on electroencephalography and imaging. Invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tools assessing epileptogenicity of the hippocampus are reviewed. Finally, the chapter presents an overview of management options available for patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.