hemispherectomy
Pronunciation: hem-i-sfeer-EK-toh-mee
Surgical procedure involving removal or disconnection of an entire cerebral hemisphere.
Full Definition
Hemispherectomy is a radical neurosurgical procedure involving the removal (anatomical hemispherectomy) or functional disconnection (functional hemispherectomy) of an entire cerebral hemisphere. This procedure is typically reserved for severe, intractable epilepsy confined to one hemisphere, often in pediatric patients with conditions such as Rasmussen encephalitis or hemimegalencephaly. Modern techniques favor functional hemispherectomy, which achieves seizure control while reducing surgical morbidity compared to complete anatomical removal.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish between anatomical and functional hemispherectomy in documentation.
In Context
- "Functional hemispherectomy was recommended for the child's catastrophic epilepsy." — epilepsy surgery evaluation
- "Post-hemispherectomy, the patient showed remarkable neuroplasticity and functional recovery." — pediatric neurology follow-up