Epilepsy Surgery

Medically-refractory epilepsy is associated with significant disability. At epilepsy surgery centers, patients with refractory epilepsy are evaluated by an interdisciplinary epilepsy team using ictal EEG, MRI, neuropsychological studies, functional imaging, and other diagnostic tools in an attempt to localize seizure onset to a focal area of the brain and to assess the risks of surgical removal of that area. In select cases, surgery to temporarily implant EEG electrodes into the brain further delineates the seizure onset zone. Non-resective surgical procedures can decrease seizure frequency through neuromodulation. Studies have shown the efficacy and safety of various epilepsy surgery procedures.