Assessing the connectional anatomy of superior and lateral surgical approaches for medial temporal lobe epilepsy

•The aim of epilepsy surgery is not only to prevent seizures but also to preserve normal functions.•Functional outcomes of epilepsy surgery are related with disruption of subcortical structures.•The anatomical considerations of the white matter bundles are important in epilepsy surgery.•A detailed 3-D knowledge of the connectional anatomy will help subside complications of epilepsy surgery.•Familiarity with the fiber tracts will provide an opportunity to tailor surgery according to the patient's unique anatomy.