ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Temporal lobe seizure

What is temporal lobe seizure?

4 May 2021

This type of convulsive episode focused on the temporal lobes, which are brain structures responsible for memories and their association with emotions and senses, usually cause euphoric effects, fears, or the déjà vu phenomenon, where the person believes they have previously experienced what you are living in the present moment.

They are also known as focal impaired-awareness seizures. However, sometimes the patient may be aware that they are experiencing a seizure, and sometimes they may appear to be aware without actually being so.

The direct cause of this type of seizure is unknown, but it is believed that it may be caused by a morphological abnormality or by some lesion in this area of the brain.

Although treatment is often pharmacological and seizures can be controlled, when positive results are not achieved, the only options are surgery or brain stimulation.

Potential risks:

There are several factors identified as risk factors for this condition, including:

  • Anatomical abnormalities.
  • Stroke.
  • Presence of any tumor.
  • Genetic mutations.
  • Brain injuries and trauma.
  • Encephalitis.
  • Meningitis.

Signs and symptoms Temporal lobe seizure

A sensory signal before a seizure is called an aura, so it can be taken as a few seconds or minutes warning before experiencing a temporal lobe seizure and subsequent loss of consciousness. However, auras are not present in all cases.

The most frequent auras are:

  • Euphoria or fear for no reason.
  • Deja vu.
  • Mysterious smells or tastes.
  • A sensation of tightness or energy rising in the stomach.

Some seizures last a few seconds or two or three minutes maximum. The symptoms are:

  • Noises from the mouth and lips.
  • Multiple swallowing and chewing.
  • Nervous tics in hands and fingers.
  • Unawareness of context and environment.
  • Moments of absence.

Symptoms after a seizure can be:

  • Problems articulating words.
  • Forgetfulness of the convulsive episode
  • Excessive tiredness and desire to sleep.
  • Mental confusion.

Diagnosis and treatment Temporal lobe seizure

After analyzing your symptoms and clinical history, your doctor will perform a physical and neurological examination to identify the origin of the seizure, seeking to prevent recurrence.

They will also order blood tests, an electroencephalogram, and imaging studies such as computed tomography, MRI, positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

The treatment to be followed will aim to reduce or prevent seizures through anticonvulsant drugs, but if this is not achieved, the alternatives are:

  • Surgical procedure to remove the damaged parts that cause seizures.
  • A device implanted in the neck to stimulate the vagal nerve and send anti-seizure signals to the brain.
  • A sensitive neurostimulation device implanted in the brain that, through electrical stimuli, stops the seizure.

At the Neurological Center, a select group of highly trained and certified doctors in the various neurological specialties are ready to assist you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Nervous system specialties

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Spine surgery
  • Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Neurophysiology
  • Neuro-rehabilitation
  • Neuro-pathology
  • Interventional neuro-radiology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Neuro-oncology
  • Neuro-otology
  • Epilepsy
  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Neuroimaging

Related centers and departments Temporal lobe seizure

Neurology Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • clevelandclinic.org
  • topdoctors.es
  • mayocilinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • niddk.nih.gov
  • medigraphic.com
  • Bender del BJE, Morales CL, García M, et al. Evaluación clínica pre y posquirúrgica de pacientes con epilepsia refractaria del lóbulo temporal. Estudio preliminar. Rev Mex Neuroci. 2006;7(2):112-119.
  • Riascos LJH, Dearriba RMU, Castillo LGE, et al. Epilepsia farmacorresistente. Experiencia quirúrgica en el Instituto de Neurología y Neurocirugía (2012-2018). Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas. 2020;19(2):1-14.
  • López-Hernández ME, Solís H. Epilepsia del lóbulo temporal pos-estatus epilepticus por pilocarpina, y conexiones hipocampo-talamocorticales. Arch Neurocien. 2020;25(3):33-50.
  • Grave PKA, Bender BJE, Morales CLM. Factores pronósticos en la cirugía de la epilepsia refractaria del lóbulo temporal. Rev Cubana Neurol Neurocir. 2019;9(2):1-19.

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