Re: amygdaloidectomy

Posted By Brad on February 05, 1998 at 16:47:24:

In Reply to: Re: amygdaloidectomy posted by CCF Neurosurgery MD on January 30, 1998 at 12:25:24:







might have put this in the wrong spot, so I'm resubmitting..
The surgery is being proposed to reduce aggression. It's for a family member who is been institutionalized from an early age. Aggression was the main problem, but lately the member has become apathetic in the extreme. The doctors have said that this is a last resort treatment and want the family's consent. Are there any negative effects that could result?

Does anyone know of this surgery?  What are the ramifications?



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Dear Brad S:
Amygdaloidectomy is a highly specific operation used to typically treat disorders within an area of the brain called the amygdala. These disorders typically will cause seizures that will originate in the amygdala and this must be demonstrated by imaging (MRI) and electrophysiologic (EEG) monitoring. If all the clinical components correlate well then this operation can be performed.
The Cleveland Clinic (in all likelihood) has the world's largest epilepsy surgery program. We perform a certain number of these cases every year and in our experience when the patients are selected properly for this operation, they tend to do very well with minimal comlications
I hope this answers your questions. If you would like further information, please write back.