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What makes you eligible for epilepsy surgery?
Certain people with uncontrolled generalized epilepsy who have drop attacks (atonic seizures) and tonic seizures may benefit from surgery. The person has seizures that cause increased risk for injury, status epilepticus (when seizures last longer than 5 minutes or occur close together without recovery), or SUDEP.
What is presurgical evaluation of epilepsy?
An overview of the following six cortical zones that have been defined in the presurgical evaluation of candidates for epilepsy surgery is given: the symptomatogenic zone; the irritative zone; the seizure onset zone; the epileptogenic lesion; the epileptogenic zone; and the eloquent cortex.
What is the surgical management of epilepsy?
Resective surgery, the most common epilepsy surgery, is the removal of a small portion of the brain. The surgeon cuts out brain tissues in the area of the brain where seizures occur, usually the site of a tumor, brain injury or malformation.
How do you evaluate epilepsy?
Electroencephalogram (EEG). This is the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy. In this test, electrodes are attached to your scalp with a paste-like substance or cap. The electrodes record the electrical activity of your brain.
How successful is surgery for epilepsy?
In general, research studies done to examine the benefits have shown that: Approximately 70% of people who undergo a temporal lobe resection have a positive result. A positive result includes being free from seizures or having only rare disabling seizures.
How long does epilepsy surgery take?
Most open epilepsy surgeries last 3–4 hours.
What is a WADA test with epilepsy?
The Wada test looks at language and memory on one side of the brain at a time. Language (speech) is controlled by one side of the brain (in most people, the left side). The Wada will help doctors find out which side controls language in your brain. Memory can be controlled by both sides of the brain.
What is Epileptogenic focus?
a discrete area of the brain in which originate the electrical discharges that give rise to seizure activity.
What are the risks of epilepsy surgery?
Do some types of surgery have an increased risk?
- Problems with memory.
- Loss of a small amount of peripheral vision.
- Double vision.
- Mood problems.
- Loss of motor skills.
- Speech difficulties.
What happens after epilepsy surgery?
In the first week after surgery, people may have headaches, have an upset stomach, and feel tired. There may be temporary swelling of the forehead and area around the eye, as well as jaw pain on the side of surgery. People are usually given medication after surgery to help limit these post surgical symptoms.
What is the side effects of epilepsy surgery?
There may also be a risk of changes in brain function. Depending on the type of surgery, these can include changes to vision, thinking skills, personality, and mood. The risks can vary among individuals, and in some people, they may only be temporary and improve after the swelling from surgery goes down.
Can surgery cure epilepsy permanently?
There is currently no cure for most types of epilepsy. A doctor may prescribe antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to help prevent seizures. If these drugs do not work, some other potential options include surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, or a special diet.
How is a Wada test done?
Wada Test: Procedure The injection may cause a slight pressure and burning. Once the area is numb, the doctor makes a small incision in the groin and inserts a small, flexible tube called a catheter through the skin and into an artery. Then the doctor guides the catheter into the vessels to be examined.
What is the Epileptogenic zone?
The epileptogenic zone is defined as the region of the brain from which the patient’s habitual seizures arise.
Is epilepsy surgery risky?
Possible risks of this type of surgery include problems with memory, a partial loss of sight, depression or other mood problems. These risks will vary from person to person, and may be only temporary in some cases. For some people, their memory and mood could improve after epilepsy surgery.
How long is epilepsy surgery?
Is presurgical evaluation necessary for epilepsy surgery?
Abstract Epilepsy surgery has benefited from major advances during the last 20 years, thanks to the development of neuroimaging and long-term video-electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring. However, it remains the case that only a small minority of potential epilepsy surgery candidates will have access to a comprehensive presurgical evaluation.
What is patient selection for epilepsy surgery?
Eligibility criteria for presurgical evaluation and epilepsy surgery Patient selection for epilepsy surgery is a two-step procedure that first aims to identify potential surgical candidates who should benefit from a presurgical evaluation, and then to determine in each assessed individual whether the risk:benefit ratio for surgery is acceptable.
What are the prerequisites for successful epilepsy surgery?
The prerequisite for successful epilepsy surgery is a thorough presurgical evaluation clearly defining epileptogenic and essential brain areas and designing a resection plan in each individual patient. Phase 1 presurgical investigations include high-resolution MRI, video scalp EEG, and detailed neuropsychological assessment.
Does structural neuroimaging have a role in presurgical evaluation of epilepsy?
The real impact of structural neuroimaging on the presurgical evaluation of patients undergoing epilepsy surgery came with the development of MRI. Studies using MRI were first performed on humans in the late 1970s ( Gadian, 1982; Kuzniecky and Jackson, 1995 ).