Hypothalamic hamartoma(HH) is an unusual nonneoplastic developmental lesion associated with gelastic epilepsy and precocious puberty, mostly found in children. Although open surgery has been attempted when antiepileptic medication failed to control seizures, its deep location and surrounding vital structures often rendered surgery unsuccessful. We describe the outcome of gamma knife radiosurgery in three children with a HH associated with gelastic epilepsy and reviewed the literature for a possible therapeutic mechanism.
Child ; Epilepsies, Partial* ; Hamartoma* ; Humans ; Puberty, Precocious ; Radiosurgery* ; Seizures

OBJECTIVE: Eleven patients treated with posterior cerebral artery(PCA) aneurysm during 6.3-years period are retrospectively reviewed to determine treatment outcome. METHODS: Eleven patients with PCA aneurysm were treated from January 1998 to May 2004. Their medical records and radiologic studies were reviewed retrospectively. The records of these patients were analysed with particular reference to their demographic details, mode of presentation, and treatment outcome. RESULTS: Of the 11 patients, 8 patients presented with symptoms related aneurysmal bleeding. Three patients had unruptured PCA aneurysms. Open or endovascular surgery was performed in 9 patients; None of these patients exhibited a third nerve palsy, visual field deficit, or hemiparesis at the time of presentation. Postoperatively, 2 made a good recovery, 2 had a moderate disability because of cerebral infarction after surgery, and 5 had a severe disability because of cerebral infarction after surgery. Of 2 conservatively treated patients, 1 was doing well but the other died as a result of brain swelling. CONCLUSION: The treatment of the PCA aneurysms is difficult regardless of the aneurysmal size, site, and treatment modality. All reasonable treatment to reduce the risk of associated morbidity should be considered.
Aneurysm ; Brain Edema ; Cerebral Infarction ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Medical Records ; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases ; Paresis ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Posterior Cerebral Artery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Fields