What is epilepsy Surgery?

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease in which patient have single or multiple episodes of seizures. Epilepsy can present in all age group of patients staring from new born to old ages. We must have seen patients or heard about this disease.

Our brain tissue works by sending electrical signals to other cells. If this electrical activity become erroneous due to any reason, patient develops over activity of cells leading to seizure episode. Epilepsy disorder can present from simple flickering of eye movement to full episode of seizure including frothing from mouth.

MYTH: There are many myths associated with epilepsy disorder like this is not curable  , three year medication is full course of epilepsy , we  should smell shoe or  put water in mouth during episode of seizure and this disorder is contagious problem etc.

Investigation:  like ECG of heart, we record electrical activity of brain by EEG(Electro-Encephalogram). This investigation helps us more if done during episode of seizure. Video recording of seizure episode at home is very helpful or Video EEG can be done after admission in hospital. Liver failure, low blood sugar levels, excessive alcohol drinking and other metabolic disorders can also be contributory to seizure episodes.

Causes: Most common cause of epilepsy disorder is Idiopathic. Other common causes are head injury, stroke, brain tumors, venous malformations in brain etc.

Contributory factors for seizure:  video games, over use of mobile phone, bright lights and high sound, movie in cinema, sleep deprivation and certain drugs.

Treatment:  Patient is advised to take regular medications without any pause. Usually, patient seizures are controlled with single drug but many patients require two or even three drugs to control seizures. Ketogenic diet has a protective role in epilepsy disorder left Vagus nerve stimulation is also used to control epilepsy disorder.

Caution: We should follow doctor advice very carefully and must take medication without halt as prescribed by doctor. 

MY EXPERTIES

Epilepsy surgery: It is seen usually seen that 30% of patients with epilepsy disorder still have multiple episode of seizures even after taking three antiepileptic drugs.

We evaluate these patients thoroughly with special Brain scans, Video EEG. if we found some defect in brain which is culprit for causing epilepsy disorder, we excise it safely with surgery . Epilepsy surgery is a specialized neurosurgery operation done by only few centers in India. Result of surgery is very rewarding 90% of patients become seizure free with or without medications. This surgery is really a boon for patients whose seizures are not controlled even by three medications.