Epilepsy Surgery
Epilepsy with a frequency of 0.5-1% and known as "epilepsy" among the public; it is a disease caused by the chronicity of epileptic seizures caused by cells in a part of the brain producing abnormal electrical signals. Epilepsy develops in people who have had brain damage at birth or later for any other reason. Epileptic seizures that occur suddenly can spread to the whole or a specific part of the brain. The types of seizures differ depending on which part of the brain it begins. In some epileptic seizures, there is loss of consciousness and uncontrolled body movements, while in some seizures the symptoms are insignificant. If seizures lasting between 30 seconds and 2 minutes last longer than 5 minutes, seek immediate medical attention. Some epileptic seizures can been as; drowsiness, clumsy behavior, strange tastes and smells, impaired sense of time and space, little speech and moving too slowly.
What are the symptoms?
Since epilepsy is a dysfunction in the brain, symptoms may differ depending on the function of the affected area of the brain. •Sudden contractions in the body
•Uncontrollable movements of arms and legs
•Loss of consciousness
• Quick nodding motion
•Inability to respond to voices or conversations for a short time
•Looking at a fixed point
•Frequent blinking
•Psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety, or déjà vu (feeling like you have experienced the moment before)
Pre-Seizure Symptoms: Auras
If the seizure starts in a small area of the brain, the person may experience some symptoms at the onset of the seizure. This is called "aura". These symptoms indicate which area of the brain is involved with abnormal electrical activity.•Numbness
•Change in vision or hearing
• Unpleasant smells
• Nausea or feeling of pressure in the stomach
• Sudden feeling of fear
Diagnostic Methods
Epilepsy is a condition that can have many causes and can occur at any age. It often starts in childhood. Any disease that affects the brain can cause epileptic seizures.• Infections in the mother's womb
• Asphyxiation of the baby during birth
•Head trauma
•Certain genetic and metabolic diseases
•Tumors
•Developmental brain malformations
• Brain infections such as meningitis can lead to epilepsy.
How is it diagnosed?
To be diagnosed with epilepsy, a person must have had at least two seizures. Brain traumas, tumors etc. conditions that cause damage to the brain can cause this disease. Genetic factors also play a role in the disease.
Types of Epilepsy Seizures
1) Simple Partial Seizure
Consciousness is clear in simple partial seizures. Symptoms of the seizure vary according to the brain region where the seizure originates:Seizures originating from the temporal lobe; It manifests itself by sudden fear, feeling as if something hadn't happened before or something that hadn't happened, taking in bad smells and tastes, and an internal unpleasant feeling. Movement problems are seen in seizures originating from the frontal lobe. In seizures originating from the parietal lobe, signs of temporary numbness are observed, and in seizures originating from the occipital lobe, flash-like lights affecting half of the visual field and signs of seeing different colors are observed.
2) Complex Partial Seizure
In addition to simple partial seizure, consciousness is affected in the patient. It can be chewing, licking, swallowing and staring confused looking for something attitudes. Sometimes the patient may tug on their clothes and walk around. When the patient comes back to herself minutes later, sometimes even hours later, the patient may not remember anything.
3) Generalized Seizure
Generalized seizures that spread to the whole brain are also known as epileptic seizures among the people. After the person is rigid and falls to the ground, all body muscles contract and relax. Violent movements develop outside the person's control. In addition, in some generalized seizures called absence or "petit mal", the person loses consciousness even though there is no movement or contraction in the body.What are the methods of treatment? Most epilepsy patients can be treated with epilepsy drugs called anti-epilepsy. It is aimed to stop the seizures with drugs. Therefore, it is important to use medicines regularly. Although drug therapy is effective in most patients, it may not provide the expected effect in some patients. Surgical treatments can be applied in these patients depending on the underlying condition that causes epilepsy.
Team work is required for surgical treatment.
Liv Hospital Ulus Epilepsy Clinic offers personalized treatment for each patient. In Liv Hospital Ulus Epilepsy Clinic, neurologists (epileptologists), imaging specialists (radiologists), neuropsychologists and psychiatrists, nuclear medicine experts and specialized neurosurgeons evaluate the patient together. As a result, the most appropriate treatment for the patient is determined. A team work is required to evaluate surgical treatment and advanced treatment methods in treatment-resistant cases.
There are two types of epilepsy surgical methods:
Resective surgery: If the epilepsy focus in the brain can be clearly determined, this focus is surgically removed. Temporal lobectomy (amygdalohippocampectomy) is the most common and successful method among these. The probability of getting rid of epilepsy in eligible patients reaches 80%, and the probability of complications is around 1%. Functional surgery or palliative surgeries: These are surgical methods aimed at reducing the spread, frequency and severity of seizures by stimulating the brain and nerves to the brain (implanting a battery) or cutting the seizure propagation paths.
One of these is the method called "vagus nerve stimulator" placement. The battery placed under the chest stimulates the vagus nerve at regular intervals and may decrease these seizures. Significant improvement can be achieved in patients with this treatment method.
In epilepsy surgery, it is aimed to stop or reduce the seizures of the patient as much as possible, while doing this, not to create additional neurological loss (any disability) in the patient and to increase the patient's quality of life.
Recommendations for Epilepsy Patients
Uncontrolled seizures and their effects on your life can at times be overwhelming or lead to depression. In addition, healthy lifestyle choices such as managing stress, limiting alcoholic beverages and avoiding smoking should be made.• Take your medication correctly.
• Getting enough sleep is also important. Lack of sleep can trigger a seizure.
• Exercising can help you stay physically healthy and reduce depression.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
• Avoid excessive smoking