Temporal lobe epilepsy

Abstract

This chapter discusses aspects of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and highlights relevant information to interpret the data obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). TLE is characterized by seizures originating in or primarily involving temporal lobe structures. Most clinicians distinguish between mesial temporal epilepsy and neocortical or lateral temporal lobe epilepsy. The medial structures that are important for the generation of seizures include the hippocampus, amygdala, and parahippocampal gyrus, although hippocampal sclerosis is by far the most common cause of intractable TLE. A large proportion of adults and children with partial epilepsy have defined brain abnormalities visualiz..