Auditory aura from the hippocampus – Not all that ‘rings’ is neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy

Abstract

Epileptic auras provide the initial clues to identify the probable region of ictal onset. In temporal lobe epilepsies, auras are most commonly experiential or viscerosensory, when they arise from mesial structures. Whereas sensations such as vertigo and auditory hallucinations are more likely to occur from the lateral temporal lobe structures. Auditory auras have been described from the lateral temporal neocortex, Heschl’s gyri, frontal operculum and posterior insula. We herein describe a patient with temporal lobe epilepsy with an auditory aura who was localized to have the onset of seizures from the hippocampus using stereotactic EEG (SEEG). Stimulation of the hippocampal contacts also reproduced the habitual auditory aura. Anterior temporal lobectomy with amygdalohippocampectomy resulted in complete seizure freedom for 3 years.This is an initial description of auditory aura elicited from the hippocampus using SEEG.

Keywords

• Temporal plus epilepsy
• Auditory aura
• Stereotactic EEG
• Heschl’s gyrus
• Cortical stimulation