Factors affecting seizure outcome in Long-term Epilepsy Associated Tumors (LEATs) in children and young adolescents

Abstract Objective Tumors with seizures as primary mode of presentation are collectively called Long-term epilepsy associated tumors (LEATs or Epileptomas). The overall survival is good so ‘seizure outcome’ becomes the primary goal rather than neuro-oncological outcome. Methods A retrospective analysis of our surgical database (2015-19) was done to find operated patients of intra-axial brain tumors with age less than 25-years and who had presented with seizures. Results The mean age at presentation was 16.44 years (SD + 6.82 years). Complex partial seizures/focal unaware seizures were the most common type of seizures encountered (n = 22) with mean duration of seizures was 49.50 months (SD + 31.04 months). The most common pathology was glioneuronal tumors (GNTs) (n = 17). Gross total resection (GTR) group had a significantly better seizure outcome as compared with the Subtotal resection (STR) group (p = 0.006). Presence of focal or partial seizure was a significant factor pointing towards a better seizure control (p = 0.005). Conclusion The shorter duration of symptoms, partial/focal seizures and gross total excision were predictors of a good seizure-outcome. Age of the patient and the histopathology of the tumor does not affect seizure-outcome on comparing GNTs with non GNTs