What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is defined as having two or more unprovoked seizures.
What is Seizure?
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. It can cause changes in your behaviour, movements, or feelings, and in levels of consciousness.
How to identify stroke?
Unexpected numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden in trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
What is a stroke?
Stroke is sudden onset weakness in one half of the body due to the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients.
When to consult a Neurologist?
Neurologist opinion is required when the patient has signs and symptoms of disorders related to the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles<
Why test sudomotor function?
A sudomotor function test is a quick and reliable way of identifying certain types of neuropathies. The presently available tests detect only 50-60% of neuropathies. This test helps the clinician to identify small fiber neuropathies and improve diagnostic accuracy.
If I have a seizure, then does it mean that I have epilepsy?
Not always. Seizures can also happen because of other medical problems. These problems include:
A high fever.
Alcohol or drug withdrawal.
Low blood sugar.
What are the major types of seizures?
Sometimes it is difficult to determine when a person is having a seizure. A person with a seizure may look confused or as if they are staring at something that is not there. Other seizures can cause a person to fall, shake, and become unaware of what’s going on around them.
Seizures are classified into two groups.
Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain.
Focal seizures affect just one area of the brain. These seizures are also called partial seizures.
What are the steps for epilepsy surgery?
Once you are being considered for epilepsy surgery, you will have to undergo three major steps
Pre-surgical evaluation
consensus decision and
finally surgery
In pre-surgical evaluation, we decide the specific portions of your brain which are responsible for this epilepsy with different tests, clinical evaluations, etc. And a team of doctor specialists from various related fields meet together to discuss and reach a consensus about the type of surgery you will need. A final plan is decided in the multidisciplinary meeting.
What is pre-surgical evaluation for epilepsy surgery?
The pre-surgical evaluation consists of various domains. Most important is video EEG followed by investigations like MRI, PET scan, SPECT scan. This MRI scan performed here is not the regular MRI but a customized scan which will depend on recordings of your video EEG. A neuropsychological assessment is also a vital part of presurgical evaluation which gives important insight into the localization and potential problems you will be having after surgery. Once all these investigations are ready, it is generally discussed in meetings to reach a consensus about the plan.
