RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Insular epilepsy, an under-recognized seizure semiology JF Neurosciences Journal JO Neurosciences (Riyadh) FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City SP 262 OP 268 DO 10.17712/nsj.2020.4.20200063 VO 25 IS 4 A1 Bandar N. Aljafen YR 2020 UL http://nsj.org.sa/content/25/4/262.abstract AB Understanding seizure semiology is one of the most important and crucial steps in diagnosing a seizure disorder. Insular epilepsy may mimic other focal seizure semiologies, leading to misdiagnosis and failed epilepsy surgery. Insular seizures may begin as brief ictal symptoms, such as laryngeal discomfort and unpleasant throat sensations, and spread rapidly to the temporal or frontal regions, causing prominent ictal symptoms different to the initial insular ictal manifestation. Moreover, insular seizures are associated with complex epileptogenic networks and multiple connections. For this reason, accurate seizure semiology helps to lateralize and localize the seizure onset. The insular cortex is deep, and thus scalp electroencephalography is not always beneficial as the epileptic discharges will not be easily recorded, or they will be seen over other cortical regions like the temporal or frontal areas. Insular surgical resection is generally safe, but it requires extensive presurgical workup and surgical precautions in order to minimize mortality.