Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes repeated, unpredictable seizures, generally beginning in childhood or early adulthood. Epilepsy can lead to serious complications, including injury to the brain. Epilepsy means the brain has formed abnormal electrical connections that disrupt normal brain function and cause seizures. It can be caused by an injury or illness that affects the brain, such as a stroke or brain tumor, or its cause can be unknown. In adults, medication can frequently control epilepsy. However, if seizures persist after trying two drugs, our expert neurosurgeons may offer epilepsy surgery
Surgical treatment may be considered if your seizures continue after trying two different medications. Your neurosurgeon offers a diagnostic surgery for detection of difficult to localize seizures, also called intracranial EEG monitoring – this is to localize the seizure area and to map brain function.
A craniotomy is performed and sterile EEG leads are placed directly on the brain. The bone flap is placed back on the patient and secured. The wound is then closed with the tails of the EEG leads coming out through the wound. These leads are connected to EEG monitors that are available in special rooms in the hospital. The patient is then monitored continuously for several days for seizure activity.
There are several types of treatment surgery for adults:
- Craniotomy: Resection of seizure focus (removing abnormal brain areas) This is considered if:
- Your seizures are continuing after trying two different medications.
- Your seizures arise from one site in the brain.
- The site of the seizures has been pinpointed.
- The removal of the portion of the brain causing the seizures will not impair your ability to function.
- Vagus nerve stimulation (placing an implant in the neck to help prevent seizures)
- In rare cases, corpus callostomy (disrupting connections between the two sides of the brain)