A variety of epilepsy surgical evaluations may be used to determine whether surgical intervention is necessary. These include: Intensive Inpatient Video EEG Monitoring Cortical Grid Monitoring/Mapping PET Scan  A positron emission tomography (PET) scan study uses a very low and safe dose of a radioactive isotope to map how the brain is using glucose. Sometimes, the areas of the brain where seizures occur use less glucose. You should not eat for 6 hours before the study. An EEG is recorded during a PET scan to see if there is seizure activity.

Wada Following, EEG monitoring , most patients with epilepsy who are considering surgery undergo a test called the Wada test. The Wada test looks at language and memory on one side of the brain at a time. It is used to determine which side of your brain controls language. Memory can be controlled by both sides of the brain. The Wada test will help your doctor determine which side of your brain has better memory function.

Medial Temporal Sclerosis Mesial temporal sclerosis is scarring in the inner portions of the temporal lobe, which is the part of the brain that process emotions and is important for short-term memory. Mesial temporal sclerosis may happen when the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen or if you have experienced head trauma or an infection in the brain infection. However, the cause of mesial temporal sclerosis is sometimes unknown. Mesial temporal sclerosis can cause a type of epilepsy called temporal lobe epilepsy.

Many people with epilepsy have difficulties with brain function as a result of their seizures. Neuropsychological testing helps doctors learn how a problem with your brain is affecting how you reason, solve problems, remember things, or concentrate as a result of your seizures.J There is a variety of neuropsychological test. Most of them involve you answering questions or solving problems. Some of the tests may be completed using pencil and paper, while others may be done on a computer.

Patients who suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as a fall, car accident, or sports-related injury, are at an increased risk for experiencing a seizure. The most common types of seizures caused by a TBI are partial (or focal) seizures and tonic-clonic seizures. Patients who suffer more severe injuries, such as penetrating head injuries, skull fractures, or injuries that result in a coma that lasts more than 24 hours, are more likely to develop post-traumatic epilepsy.

The Responsive Neuro System (RNS®) is the first and only brain-responsive neurostimulation system designed to prevent epileptic seizures at their source. The RNS neurostimulator is a small, implantable device connected to wires (or leads) that are placed in up to two seizure onset areas. The device continuously monitors brain activity, detects abnormal patterns, and in response delivers imperceptible electrical pulses to normalize the activity before an individual experiences seizures.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is one of the main tests used to diagnose epilepsy. There are several types of EEGs that may be performed. Routine A routine EEG is a test that uses small flat metal disks called electrodes that are attached to your scalp. The electrodes detect the electrical activity in your brain. You will experience little or no pain or discomfort during the EEG. A routine EEG typically takes 30 minutes to an hour to complete and is done during a scheduled appointment with your doctor. Ambulatory It can sometimes be difficult to detect a seizure episode during a routine EEG.

If your epilepsy fails to respond to multiple medications or other treatment options, you may want to consider a second opinion. At Inova, our team of neurology specialists will work closely with your referring neurologist to review your diagnosis and treatments you’ve tried.

There are currently no medications that cure epilepsy, but there are medications that can help control epilepsy. Each patient with epilepsy responds differently to medication, but a single medication or a combination of medications may help to control seizures. Your doctor will work closely with you to determine which medications work best for you. However, for some people, medication does not work to control their seizures.

If Medication Is Not Enough, VNS Therapy® May Be Right for You Fortunately, there are other epilepsy treatments that may help control your seizures and improve your quality of life even when medications are not enough. One of the options we may recommend is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) Therapy. VNS Therapy is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in adults and adolescents older than 12 years of age with partial onset seizures that do not respond to anti-seizure medications.