Seizures/Epilepsy - Surgical Treatments
Several surgical treatment options are available for people with epilepsy when medications are not effective. In most instances, the area in the brain that is generating seizures is removed, often resulting in freedom from seizures. When removal of part of the brain isn’t felt to be safe or likely to be effective, implantation of a device that sends electrical stimulation to a nerve in the neck may reduce seizures. Neurosurgeons work in conjunction with the team of epileptologists for implanting the vagus nerve stimulator in patients with intractable epilepsy.
Albany Med Advantage
The team of epilepsy experts at the Neurosciences Institute have specialized training and expertise in the various surgical treatments for epilepsy. Deciding who may benefit from surgery requires extensive testing to identify where seizures are coming from and what the risks associated with surgery are.
Each person who may benefit from surgery is evaluated by an epileptologist, is admitted to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit to identify the areas of the brain that are generating seizures, and has a specialized MRI scan of the brain. Depending upon the results of these tests, additional imaging may be needed. Neuropsychological testing and other tests may be needed to identify the potential risks associated with surgery. Each patient’s evaluation is individualized according to their specific circumstances, and is reviewed and discussed at a weekly multidisciplinary epilepsy team meeting with input from epileptologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists and neuroradiologists.
