<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec id="j_joepi-2015-0008_s_001">
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Corpus callosum (CC) is the largest forebrain commissure. Structural anomalies and accompanying clinical symptoms are not in the focus of neurologists, epileptologists or neurosurgeons.</p>
</sec>
<sec id="j_joepi-2015-0008_s_002">
<h3>Aim and method</h3>
<p>Anatomy, embryological development, normal functions, structural abnormalities, additional malformations, clinical symptoms and seizure disorders with CC anomalies are reviewed from the literature.</p>
</sec>
<sec id="j_joepi-2015-0008_s_003">
<h3>Review</h3>
<p>The detection of callosal anomalies increased rapidly with widespread use of brain imaging methods. Agenesis or dysgenesis of corpus callosum (AgCC) might be considered an accidental finding. Epileptic seizures occur in up to 89% of patients with AgCC. The causal relationship correctly is questioned. However, additional causative malformations of midline and/or telencephalic structures can be demonstrated in most seizure patients. The interruption of bilateral spread of seizure activities acts as the concept for callosotomy as epilepsy surgery. Indications are drug-resistant generalized, diffuse, or multifocal epilepsies. A resectable seizure onset zone should be excluded. Most treated patients are diagnosed as Lennox-Gastaut or Lennox-like syndrome.</p>
</sec>
<sec id="j_joepi-2015-0008_s_004">
<h3>Conclusions</h3>
<p>In cases with callosal abnormalities and clinical symptoms additional malformations are frequently observed, especially with seizure disorders. Callosotomy is the most effective option against drop attacks. The method probably is underused. After callosotomy a circumscript seizure focus might be unveiled and a second step of resective epilepsy surgery can be successful.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Introduction
Corpus callosum (CC) is the largest forebrain commissure. Structural anomalies and accompanying clinical symptoms are not in the focus of neurologists, epileptologists or neurosurgeons.


Aim and method
Anatomy, embryological development, normal functions, structural abnormalities, additional malformations, clinical symptoms and seizure disorders with CC anomalies are reviewed from the literature.


Review
The detection of callosal anomalies increased rapidly with widespread use of brain imaging methods. Agenesis or dysgenesis of corpus callosum (AgCC) might be considered an accidental finding. Epileptic seizures occur in up to 89% of patients with AgCC. The causal relationship correctly is questioned. However, additional causative malformations of midline and/or telencephalic structures can be demonstrated in most seizure patients. The interruption of bilateral spread of seizure activities acts as the concept for callosotomy as epilepsy surgery. Indications are drug-resistant generalized, diffuse, or multifocal epilepsies. A resectable seizure onset zone should be excluded. Most treated patients are diagnosed as Lennox-Gastaut or Lennox-like syndrome.


Conclusions
In cases with callosal abnormalities and clinical symptoms additional malformations are frequently observed, especially with seizure disorders. Callosotomy is the most effective option against drop attacks. The method probably is underused. After callosotomy a circumscript seizure focus might be unveiled and a second step of resective epilepsy surgery can be successful.

Corpus callosum and epilepsies

Journal of Epileptology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Corpus callosum and epilepsies"}

Introduction
Corpus callosum (CC) is the largest forebrain commissure. Structural anomalies and accompanying clinical symptoms are not in the focus of...

Corpus callosum and epilepsies

Published Online: Dec 06, 2013

Page range: 89 - 104

Received: Oct 10, 2013

Accepted: Nov 28, 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/joepi-2015-0008

Keywords
corpus callosum, agenesis of corpus callosum, additional malformations, seizure disorders, callosotomy, disconnection syndrome

© 2013 Gerhard Bauer et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Corpus callosum and epilepsies

Published Online: Dec 06, 2013

Page range: 89 - 104

Received: Oct 10, 2013

Accepted: Nov 28, 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/joepi-2015-0008

Keywordscorpus callosum, agenesis of corpus callosum, additional malformations, seizure disorders, callosotomy, disconnection syndrome

© 2013 Gerhard Bauer et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
corpus callosum, agenesis of corpus callosum, additional malformations, seizure disorders, callosotomy, disconnection syndrome