This is the most common type of partial epilepsy. Temporal lobe epilepsy originates from the temporal lobe and can be varied although common patterns are evident. These individuals may present various feelings of thoughts, emotions and experiences which can either be familiar or appear totally strange. This seizure may vary in intensity although in some cases it can be very mild. It is estimated this temporal lobe epilepsy is the common type affecting all patients with epilepsy.
There are two types of temporal lobe epilepsy; the medial and the neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy. The medial epilepsy is the common type of temporal lobe epilepsy that begins in the hippocampus or its surrounding structures. The medial form is actually considered to be a syndrome meaning several conditions can result in this type of epilepsy. It is often resistant to medications and the diagnostic test MRI reveals hippocampal sclerosis, the hardening of the hippocampal, and the surgical intervention is one of the options of treatment.
Causes
In most cases, the cause of temporal lobe seizures may remain unknown. Some of the contributing factors include traumatic brain injury, genetic syndromes, stroke, infections, brain tumors and the problem with the blood vessels.
Symptoms
The abnormal sensation is the aura which can be signs of warnings that can include hallucinations of people, smell or tastes. In some cases, the temporal lobe seizures can affect the individual’s ability to respond to others and typically lasts about 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. Some of the signs and symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy include loss of awareness, lip smacking, repeated chewing, unusual finger movements and blankly staring. Individuals who experience the temporal lobe seizures may have confusion, unawareness of what happened and extreme fatigue.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on the detailed information provided about the seizure, neurological examination that assess various functions such as coordination, muscle tone, reflexes, balance and muscle strength. The MRI scan is necessary to detect the abnormality associated with the medial temporal lobe epilepsy. An EEG is essential that monitors the electrical activity of the brain that can develop when the individual is both awake and asleep. In some cases, recording the EEG monitoring unit is also required to determine whether a surgery can be beneficial.
Treatment
Individuals with focal seizure usually respond to the anti-epileptic treatment, although one-third of the cases don’t respond well. These cases often restrict their activities presenting problems with memory and socializing. They may also present side-effects such as fatigue, dizziness and weight gain. With the treatment failure, the surgical intervention is an option to remain seizure-free. Alternatively, devices such as vagus nerve stimulation or neurostimulation and deep brain stimulation may be beneficial.
References
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/temporal-lobe-seizure/basics/treatment/con-20022892
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-epilepsy-syndromes/temporal-lobe-epilepsy
http://www.epilepsyqueensland.com.au/temporal-lobe-epilepsy