Abstract
Minimally invasive pediatric epilepsy surgery (MIPES) is a rising technique in the
management of focal-onset drug-refractory epilepsy. Minimally invasive surgical techniques
are based on small, focal interventions (such as parenchymal ablation or localized
neuromodulation) leading to elimination of the seizure onset zone or interruption
of the larger epileptic network. Precise localization of the seizure onset zone, demarcation
of eloquent cortex, and mapping of the network leading to seizure propagation are
required to achieve optimal outcomes. The toolbox for presurgical, noninvasive evaluation
of focal epilepsy continues to expand rapidly, with a variety of options based on
advanced imaging and electrophysiology. In this article, we will examine several of
these diagnostic modalities from the standpoint of MIPES and discuss how each can
contribute to the development of a localization-based hypothesis for potential surgical
targets.
Keywords
pediatric epilepsy surgery - electroencephalography - magnetoencephalography - source
localization - MRI
