Structural epilepsy in hypothalamic hamartoma (a clinical case)

Hypothalamic hamartoma is a rare developmental defect caused by ectopic neural tissue within the tuber cinereum of the hypothalamus, which corresponds to the wall or floor of the third ventricle. Hypothalamic hamartoma is most often associated with epilepsy, which manifests as gelastic seizures and a poor response to anticonvulsant therapy. The drug-resistant nature of epilepsy associated with hypothalamic hamartomas means that treatment for this condition is almost always surgical. However, the location of the tumor in the third ventricle makes it an extremely difficult target for adequate surgical intervention. This study presents a clinical case of structural epilepsy caused by a hypothalamic hamartoma which is polymorphic in its course and is treatable with anticonvulsants.