Postoperative Intratumoral or Peritumoral Hematomas After Vestibular Schwannoma Resection.

BACKGROUND: Surgical removal of a vestibular schwannoma is a complex and challenging procedure, which may be complicated by development of postoperative hematomas, particularly after incomplete resection of the tumor. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of postoperative intra- or peritumoral hematomas after surgery for a vestibular schwannoma. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 49 patients (age range 17-78 years) with a vestibular schwannoma, who were treated surgically via the lateral suboccipital approach between 2011 and 2016. The tumors ranged in size from 0 mm (in a case of an intracanalicular lesion) to 56 mm. In 30 cases (61%), total or near-total resection was accomplished, and in 19 cases (39%), subtotal or partial resection was done. On the basis of their bleeding tendency during tumor removal, the patients were divided into a "less-bleeding" (38 cases; 78%) and a "more-bleeding" (11 cases; 22%) subgroups. RESULTS: A maximal vestibular schwannoma diameter >30 mm, patient age >60 years, and more bleeding during tumor removal were significantly associated with incomplete (subtotal or partial) resection. In six cases (12%), serial computed tomography after surgery demonstrated a postoperative hematoma, which was caused by insufficient irrigation of the surgical field (in two cases) or resulted from peritumoral hemorrhage (in two cases), intratumoral hemorrhage (in one case), or both intra- and peritumoral hemorrhage (in one case). The latter patient required urgent reoperation. In all cases, postoperative hematomas occurred after incomplete (subtotal or partial) resection of a vestibular schwannoma, and their development was significantly associated with more bleeding during tumor removal. CONCLUSION: For avoidance of postoperative hematomas, careful hemostasis is required after completion of vestibular schwannoma removal, especially in cases with incomplete resection and an excessive bleeding tendency of the tumor tissue.

[Brain Abscess].

Brain abscesses can be caused by bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, or parasites. The incidence of brain abscess varies from 0.4 to 0.9 cases per 100,000 population. The rate of infection increases in immunosuppressed patients. Approximately 25% of brain abscesses occur in children. Outcomes for patients with brain abscesses have improved over the past 50 years. Despite the advantages in diagnostics and treatment leading to improved outcomes in patients with brain abscess, the overall outcome and quality of life issues in patients with brain abscess remain a challenge in neurosurgery. In this article, the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic imaging, and treatment of brain abscesses are discussed.

Aggressive growing of the infantile cavernous hemangioma of the calvaria: a case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Primary intraosseous cavernous hemangiomas of the skull are very rare in the pediatric age group and usually slow-growing tumors. CASE REPORT: We present a case of 5-month-old girl with a left occipital cavernous hemangioma that is rapidly growing. The subcutaneous occipital tiny mass was first noted at birth, and the lesion became rapidly enlarged in size and became soft for 3 months. The left occipital subcutaneous lesion was 4.0 × 4.0 × 2.0 cm (AP × LR × HT) in size. There was no history of trauma or bone tumor in her family. She underwent resection of the lesion, and a pathologic diagnosis of calvarial cavernous hemangioma was made. No recurrence was seen 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: The rapid growth of the infant cavernous hemangioma might be related to not only bleeding and/or congestion of the lesion but the immature thin skull of the infant.

Midterm and Long-term Follow-up After Surgical Reconstruction for Lateral Polydactyly of the Foot With Mosaic-like Alignment of the Phalanx Bones.

BACKGROUND: The phalanx bones in several cases of lateral polydactyly of foot revealed complicated alignment with radiographic findings revealing medial-protrusion and lateral deviation of the middle phalanx. We previously defined such cases as showing "mosaic-like alignment" and demonstrated favorable postoperative outcomes using our surgical procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the midterm and long-term postoperative outcomes in such cases. METHODS: The study included 17 feet from 16 patients; 5 male and 11 female, with one bilateral case. The radiographic findings in all cases revealed a mosaic-like alignment of phalanges. Average age of the patients at the initial surgery was 12 months and average duration of post-operative follow-up was 89 months (60 to 132 mo). The surgical procedures were focused on the alignment between the distal and proximal phalanges independent of the middle phalanx alignment. Ligamentous joint stability was restored using collateral ligament reconstruction. We retrospectively evaluated post-operative outcomes, and subjective evaluation by the patients and parents was carried out. RESULTS: No cases revealed either varus or valgus deformities, pigmentation of the grafted skin, or functional disturbance. As for postoperative complications, we observed visible thickening in 7 toes, 3 of which further underwent partial resection of the middle phalanx. Subjective evaluation of the postoperative results by the patients and parents was "very satisfied" or "satisfied" in 15 of 16 cases. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our midterm to long-term postoperative outcomes, we believe that our method of surgical reconstruction provides a new option for the treatment of lateral polydactyly of the foot with mosaic-like alignment of the phalanx bones. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic studies.

Intraneural Nodular Fasciitis in a Child: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

We present the case of an 11-year-old boy with intraneural nodular fasciitis of the median nerve at the distal part of the carpal tunnel. Complete excision of the involved median nerve and cable grafting using 4 fascicular segments of the sural nerve was performed for persistent pain and numbness after initial resection of the tumor in piecemeal fashion. Pain and numbness were completely resolved and there was no evidence of recurrence 24 months after the final surgery.

Long-term results after a free vascularized adipofascial graft for congenital proximal radioulnar synostosis with an average follow-up of 10 years: a series of four cases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to observe the long-term and chronologic changes in clinical and radiologic findings after a free vascularized adipofascial graft interposition with radial osteotomy for congenital proximal radioulnar synostosis (PRUS). METHODS: Six forearms in 4 patients with congenital PRUS who underwent a free vascularized adipofascial graft interposition combined with radial osteotomy were followed up for an average of 10 years (8-12 years) postoperatively. Extension and flexion angles of the elbow and pronation and supination angles of the forearm as well as radiographs were evaluated preoperatively and throughout the postoperative follow-up period. RESULTS: The average extension/flexion angles of the elbow and the average pronation/supination angles of the forearm were 3°/130° and 14°/- before surgery, -4°/135° and 39°/23° at 1 year after surgery, 6°/138° and 44°/30° at 3 years after surgery, and -2°/139° and 35°/7° at the time of the final follow-up, respectively. Final radiographs showed hypertrophy of the radial head in 4 patients, dislocation of the radial head in 2 patients, and deformity of the radial head in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Extension and flexion angles of the elbow in patients with congenital PRUS were constant and the average range of pronation was relatively well maintained throughout the postoperative period, but the average range of supination decreased by 16° from 1 year postoperatively to the time of the final follow-up.

Effect of simultaneous stretching of the wrist and finger extensors for lateral epicondylitis: a gross anatomical study of the tendinous origins of the extensor carpi radialis brevis and extensor digitorum communis.

BACKGROUND: Pulling the wrist into flexion with the elbow in extension and forearm in pronation has been used as the stretching technique of wrist extensors for lateral epicondylitis. Simultaneous stretching of the fingers in addition to the wrist flexion has also been applied. However, the mechanism of this simultaneous stretching has not been clarified. This study is designed to clarify the mechanism underlying this simultaneous stretching technique based on the anatomical features of the origins of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and extensor digitorum communis (EDC). METHODS: Thirty-nine arms from formalin-embalmed Japanese human specimens were dissected. The features of the origins of the ECRB and EDC were macroscopically observed, and the locations of each origin on the lateral epicondyle were measured. RESULTS: The ECRB had a long and wide, purely tendinous origin which originated from the anterior slope of the lateral epicondyle. The tendinous origin of the index finger of the EDC (EDC-IF) arose from the posterior aspect of the ECRB tendinous origin, with a coexisting muscular portion observed at the level of the proximal forearm. The middle finger of the EDC (EDC-MF) had a short tendinous origin with an associated muscular portion and originated proximo-laterally to the origin of the ECRB on the lateral epicondyle. In addition, the muscular origin of the EDC-MF arose on the superficial and posterior aspect of the ECRB tendinous origin. In contrast, the ring and little fingers of the EDC originated from the tendinous septum of the extensor digiti minimi and extensor carpi ulnaris, and had no connection with the ECRB tendinous origin. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our anatomical findings, simultaneous stretching of the wrist extensors by wrist, index and middle fingers flexion could provide stretching force to both the tendinous origins of the ECRB and EDC through the EDC-IF and EDC-MF.

Total dorsal capsulectomy for the treatment of mucous cysts.

PURPOSE: To describe the technique of total dorsal capsulectomy alone for mucous cysts of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and evaluate its outcomes and complications. METHODS: Nineteen patients (18 women and 1 man) with 19 mucous cysts were treated by a total dorsal capsulectomy without cyst excision or osteophyte removal. The average age at surgery was 63 years. The thumb was involved in 4 patients, index finger in 1, middle finger in 7, ring finger in 4, and little finger in 3. Twelve patients had nail deformities associated with the mucous cyst. The average period of postoperative follow-up was 26 months. The dorsal half of the DIP joint capsule was resected with a punch and curette. The cyst and osteophytes were left intact. RESULTS: The average preoperative range of motion for the DIP joint was from 10° of extension to 45° of flexion. Radiographs showed osteophytes at the DIP joint in all affected digits. After surgery, all cysts disappeared at an average of 3 weeks. There was no recurrence at the time of final follow-up. All nail deformities had resolved at an average of 5 months after surgery. The average motion for the DIP joint at the time of final follow-up was from 8° of extension to 56° of flexion. There were no acquired nail deformities or other complications. CONCLUSIONS: A total dorsal capsulectomy alone was a simple treatment for mucous cysts and did not lead to any recurrence. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Innervated thenar pedicle flap with the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve for treating a thumb pulp defect: a case report.

A 51-year-old male plumber with a thumb pulp defect was treated with a reversed innervated thenar pedicle flap. The flap was based on the radial digital artery originating from the princeps pollicis artery with the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve. The flap survived and achieved good innervation with a moving 2-point discrimination of 6 mm at 12 months after surgery. This flap is indicated for patients who hesitate to have tissue taken from the foot. We believe that this flap is a feasible option for reconstructing thumb pulp defects.

Rare vermian pilocytic astrocytoma with recurrent spontaneous hemorrhage in the elderly: A case report and review of literature.

Background: Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is a benign glial tumor predominately seen in pediatrics and early adolescence with associated overall good outcomes. Very few cases of elderly PA have been reported in the literature, and they are known to display unique anatomic, histologic, and genetic peculiarities distinct from pediatric disease. We report a rare case of vermian PA in an octogenarian with recurrent spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage as a presenting symptom. Furthermore, a review of the literature on the peculiarities of PA in the elderly will be discussed. Case Description: An 81-year-old woman presented with features suggestive of repeated posterior fossa hemorrhages characterized by headaches, diplopia, and alteration in sensorium occurring about 5 months apart. Brain neuroimaging showed a cerebellar vermian tumor with features suggestive of repeated intratumoral bleeding. She had an initial ventriculoperitoneal shunting for acute hydrocephalus and subsequently had a suboccipital craniotomy and subtotal tumor excision due to morbid adherence to the brainstem. The histologic diagnosis was PA with Ki-67 <1% and negative for isocitrate dehydrogenase-1. There was a slow but progressive clinical improvement, and she has remained symptom-free for 4 years on follow-up. Conclusion: PA in the elderly is a rare disease with distinct histologic and genetic peculiarities. This case review showed one of the oldest cases of cerebellar vermian PA presenting with recurrent spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage, an extremely rare occurrence in benign glioma. Although complete surgical excision is recommended, partial resection is advocated for morbidly adherent tumors. Overall prognosis is worse in elderly PA.

Exacerbation of restless legs syndrome following amygdalohippocampectomy: A case report.

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological sensorimotor disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs. In the perioperative period, patients with RLS may experience an acute exacerbation of symptoms. Although studies on the exacerbation of RLS after brain surgery are limited, we present a case wherein symptoms worsened following left amygdalohippocampectomy. Case Presentation: A 58-year-old woman diagnosed with mesiotemporal lobe epilepsy accompanied by left hippocampal sclerosis underwent a left amygdalohippocampectomy. The patient reported uncomfortable sensations in the lower limbs preoperatively. However, the urge to move her legs was manageable and not distinctly diagnosed with RLS. The symptoms began to deteriorate on the fifth postoperative day primarily affecting the legs and back, with a notable emphasis on the right side. Pramipexole treatment effectively ameliorated these symptoms. Conclusion: No reports are available highlighting the exacerbation of RLS after amygdalohippocampectomy. Perioperative factors, such as anesthesia and iron deficiency due to hemorrhage, have been proposed as aggravating factors for RLS; however, the asymmetry of RLS, particularly the atypical right-sided exacerbation in this case, makes it unlikely that this was the primary cause. A negative correlation between opioid receptor availability in the amygdala and RLS severity has been reported, suggesting that amygdalohippocampectomy contributes to the exacerbation of RLS symptoms. This case provides valuable insights into the possible involvement of the amygdala in the pathophysiology of RLS and practical considerations for the clinical management of the condition.

Emergency EC-IC bypass for symptomatic atherosclerotic ischemic stroke.

Previous studies have shown that extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery has no preventive effect on subsequent ipsilateral ischemic stroke in patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic internal carotid occlusion and hemodynamic cerebral ischemia. A few studies have assessed whether an urgent EC-IC bypass surgery is an effective treatment for main trunk stenosis or occlusion in acute stage. The authors retrospectively reviewed 58 consecutive patients who underwent urgent EC-IC bypass for symptomatic internal carotid artery or the middle cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion between January 2003 and December 2011. Clinical characteristics and neuroimagings were evaluated and analyzed. Based on preoperative angiogram, responsible lesions were the internal carotid artery in 19 (32.8%) patients and the middle cerebral artery in 39 (67.2%). No hemorrhagic complication occurred. Sixty-nine percent of patients showed improvement of neurological function after surgery, and 74.1% of patients had favorable outcome. Unfavorable outcome was associated with insufficient collateral flow and new infarction after bypass surgery.

The Thompson procedure for chronic mallet finger deformity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of the Thompson procedure for chronic mallet finger deformity and review the utility of this procedure. METHODS: Seven cases of chronic mallet finger with a swan neck deformity were treated by the Thompson procedure. Ranges of motion for the distal interphalangeal (DIP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints were measured, and complications were investigated at the final examination. Patients were evaluated using the criteria reported by Abouna and Brown. RESULTS: Four patients were men, and 3 were women. The average age at the time of surgery was 44 years (range, 25 to 71 y). The middle finger was affected in 4 cases, and the index, ring, and small finger were involved in 1 case each. The average extensor lag on the DIP joint was 42° (range, 35° to 50°). All cases were treated with the Thompson procedure. The swan neck deformity was corrected in all cases. The average motion at the final examination was -4° (range, -30° to 0°) in extension and 91° (range, 85° to 110°) in flexion for the PIP joint and -5° (range, -10° to 0 °) in extension and 63° (range, 45° to 85°) in flexion for the DIP joint. A buttonhole deformity and a dimple at the proximal tied end of the graft were seen in 1 case. Assessment by the criteria of Abouna and Brown revealed that 6 of 7 patients were categorized as cured and one as improved. No patient was categorized as unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure provides a predictable method for correcting loss of DIP joint extension with or without PIP joint hyperextension. We believe that the Thompson procedure is an effective technique for the salvage, following failed treatment, of a closed mallet injury with an associated swan neck deformity.

Reconstruction of chronic thumb metacarpophalangeal joint radial collateral ligament injuries with a half-slip of the abductor pollicis brevis tendon.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a reconstructive method for chronic radial collateral ligament (RCL) injuries of the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint using a combination of RCL advancement and the transfer of a half-slip of the abductor pollicis brevis tendon. METHODS: Eight patients (4 male and 4 female; mean age, 25 y) with chronic RCL injury of the thumb MCP joint were enrolled. All patients were referred to our institution because of continuing pain and instability on the radial side of the MCP joint when grasping or pinching objects. The mechanism of the injury was adduction stress to the thumb during sporting activities in 5 patients, a heavy object falling on the thumb in 1, and a fall in 2. The mean duration from RCL injury to surgery was 20 weeks. The average postoperative follow-up was 51 months. We evaluated postoperative outcomes including pain, range of motion of the thumb MCP joint, grip strength, key pinch strength, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, and ability to return to preinjury work or sporting activities. RESULTS: No patients demonstrated continuing symptoms, and the MCP joint was stable after surgery. Postoperative grip and pinch strength (37 and 6.3 kg, respectively) were increased compared with preoperative values (34 and 3.9 kg, respectively). All patients returned fully to their preinjury work or sporting activities within 6 months after surgery. Although postoperative flexion was decreased by an average of 6°, no patients noted functional deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the reconstructive method of RCL advancement and transfer of a half-slip of the abductor pollicis brevis tendon to alleviate pain and improve grip and pinch strength in chronic RCL injuries of the thumb MCP joint.

Postoperative hematoma can be a risk factor in delayed facial palsy after vestibular schwannoma resection via a retrosigmoid approach: a retrospective single-center cohort study.

PURPOSE: Delayed facial palsy (DFP) is a rare postoperative complication after vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. The exact mechanism of DFP remains uncertain and the risk factors for DFP are still controversial. The authors aimed to investigate the characteristics, risk factors, and etiology of DFP after VS resection retrospectively. METHODS: Ninety-one consecutive surgeries with VS were analyzed. Patients with neurofibromatosis 2 in eight surgeries and postoperative facial palsy House-Brackmann (HB) grade more than 3 in two surgeries were excluded. Eighty-one surgeries were included in this research. Facial nerve function was evaluated using the HB grade. Delayed facial palsy was defined as deterioration in the facial function of at least 1 HB grade more than 1 day after undergoing VS resection. The characteristics of patients with VS and risk factors for DFP were analyzed. RESULTS: All surgeries were performed via a retrosigmoid approach. DFP was observed in nine patients. There were no statistically significant differences between the DFP group and non-DFP group in terms of the following characteristics: sex, age, side, size, Koos grading system, postoperative facial palsy, or extent of resection. Postoperative hematoma in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) cistern was significantly higher in the DFP group than in the non-DFP group (p = 0.0023), and was significantly associated with DFP after VS surgery (odds ratio 18.40, p < 0.001). DFP improved in seven patients, but two patients did not improve. CONCLUSION: DFP occurred in 11.1% of patients after VS surgery. This study revealed that postoperative hematoma in the CPA cistern was significantly associated with DFP after VS surgery.

The Importance of Intratumoral Venous Drainage Preservation in Two-Stage Surgery of Large Hypervascular Choroid Plexus Papilloma: A Case Report.

Two-stage surgery may be necessary when total tumor removal cannot be accomplished in the first surgery; however, the extent and condition in which the remaining tumor should be before the next surgery have not yet been established. There is a risk of postoperative hemorrhage in the residual tumor, especially in hypervascular tumors. We report a case of hypervascular choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) in a 22-year-old male patient where the preservation of intratumoral venous drainage was considered important to avoid hemorrhagic complications during a two-stage surgery. In the first surgery, it was difficult to control the bleeding from the debulked tumor, and the surgery was terminated due to severe blood loss. Large draining veins running in the tumor were preserved as it was suspected that these were important drainage routes of the bloodstream of the tumor. The preserved draining red veins changed to normal venous color in the second surgery performed after one week. The residual tumor was not vascularized during the second surgery and underwent gross total resection with less blood loss. The patient was discharged without sequelae. There was no recurrence of the tumor and no neurological deficit during the three-year follow-up. To prevent postoperative hemorrhage associated with a residual tumor, it may be important to preserve venous drainage of the tumor in hypervascular tumor resection.

Unexpected recovery from complete deafness to normal hearing post surgical excision of a cerebellopontine angle meningioma: A case report.

Background: Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) meningioma presents a significant management challenge due to its intricate relationship with the brainstem neurovascular bundles. The emphasis in the past has been on facial nerve preservation, but the current management standard is hearing preservation in patients with serviceable hearing; however, hearing restoration after complete loss is rare. We report an elderly man who had restoration of hearing in the right ear after complete loss following tumor resection through the retrosigmoid route. Case Description: A 73-year-old male patient presented with progressive hearing impairment in the right ear, culminating in hearing loss for about 2 months (the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery [AAO-HNS] class D). He also had mild cerebellar symptoms, but other cranial nerves and long tracts were normal. Brain magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a right CPA meningioma, and he had tumor resection through the retrosigmoid route using meticulous microsurgical technique with vestibulocochlear nerve preservation, facial nerve monitoring, and intraoperative video angiography. He had restoration of hearing on follow-up (the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery class A). Histology confirmed World Health Organization central nervous system grade 1 meningioma. Conclusion: This case illustrates that hearing restoration is possible after complete loss in patients with CPA meningioma. We advocate hearing preservation surgery even in patients with non-serviceable hearing, as the chance of hearing recovery is possible.

Feasibility and limitations of head MRI in patients with cochlear implants.

OBJECTIVE: Cochlear implants (CIs) were noncompatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) initially; however, recently, implants have become available that are compatible with MRI without the need for magnet removal or bandage fixation. The images produced by MRI scans are sometimes deteriorated by artifacts and are not clinically useful. In this study, we discussed the size differences of such artifacts with respect to the imaging modality and sequences with their clinical validity. METHODS: We performed a head MRI, using a head bandage and without magnet removal in five patients who underwent cochlear implantation at our department and analyzed the MRI findings. RESULTS: Without magnet removal, diffusion-weighted images and T2 star-weighted images had larger artifacts and less useful images. T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images (T2WIs), T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2-FLAIR) images, and heavy T2WIs could evaluate the unimplanted side and middle of the head but had limited applicability on the CI side. CONCLUSION: The characteristic features of MRI scan images vary with the method used as well as with the sequence, suggesting that the choice of MRI is largely determined on the basis of clinical feasibility and the requirement. Accordingly, we need to judge well in advance of imaging whether the images would be clinically relevant.

Characteristics of an advanced epilepsy treatment gap in a region in Japan.

To investigate the quality of epilepsy care in a region in Japan that lacked specialised care, we retrospectively evaluated patients who visited our newly established epilepsy division between April 2018 and March 2021, and had been treated with anti-seizure medications (ASMs) for at least 1 year prior. Of the 231 patients included, 169 had ongoing seizure episodes at first visit (seizure-persist group) and 62 had no seizure episodes for more than a year (seizure-free group). Eighty-three patients in the seizure-persist group had not received specialised epilepsy care, 15 had been treated with unnecessary medications, and seven had experienced side effects from ASMs. Twelve patients in the seizure-free group had been treated with unnecessary ASMs, 10 had been treated with ASMs with teratogenic potential and four had experienced ASM side effects. These patients could be classified as having an advanced epilepsy treatment gap (ETG) because they had not previously received necessary specialised care. The progressive decline in the number of patients with advanced ETG suggests that our new epilepsy division has addressed this issue. This study highlights that a significant number of patients with advanced ETGs exist in Japan and that proper countermeasures are required to address this gap.

Frontal Encephalocele Plus Epilepsy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

An encephalocele is a pathological brain herniation caused by osseous dural defects. Encephaloceles are known to be regions of epileptogenic foci. We describe the case of a 44-year-old woman with refractory epilepsy associated with a frontal skull base encephalocele. Epilepsy surgery for encephalocele resection was performed; however, the epilepsy was refractory. A second epilepsy surgery for frontal lobectomy using intraoperative electroencephalography was required to achieve adequate seizure control. Previous reports have shown that only encephalocele resection can result in good seizure control, and refractory epilepsy due to frontal lobe encephalocele has rarely been reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of frontal encephalocele plus epilepsy in which good seizure control using only encephalocele resection was difficult to achieve. Herein, we describe the possible mechanisms of encephalocele plus epilepsy and the surgical strategy for refractory epilepsy with encephalocele, including a literature review.