$Unique_ID{BRK01639}
$Pretitle{Mental and Emotional Conditions}
$Title{Surgery for Severe Cases of Epilepsy}
$Subject{epilepsy treatment surgery}
$Volume{E-1}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Surgery for Severe Cases of Epilepsy


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QUESTION:  My sister in law suffers from a severe case of epilepsy.  Though
the doctors have tried many medications, they never have been able to get the
situation completely under control.  We have heard that there is an operation
that might be able to help her.  Do you know anything about this operation,
and do you think it could help her?

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ANSWER:  Yes there is surgery for severe cases of epilepsy, that can help.
The operation consists of removing parts of the brain that are the cause of
the seizures.  However this treatment is not indicated for everyone with this
disease.  There are several criteria used to help select patients who might be
helped.  They must be severely affected by the seizures, that happen
frequently enough to interfere with their living.  A thorough trial of all
standard medications should have been made, and there must be no progressive
or degenerative neurological disease associated with the epilepsy.  Complete
and extensive evaluation and monitoring of the situation must proceed the
operation, for it is used when all of the seizures are provoked by one focal
area of the brain.  This evaluation is best performed in specialized
monitoring units which have all the advanced technology necessary to gather
the information and data necessary to make a decision.  Substantial
improvement is seen in about 80 percent of patients with all seizures
disappearing in more than half of the patients.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
