Best epilepsy doctor in bangalore​

Can medications truly end your battle with epilepsy, or does it need more than that? In this article, we will explore the trailblazing shift of epilepsy treatment from traditional pharmaceutical solutions to surgical procedures. The surgical procedure is a beacon of hope for those whose seizures don’t go away with even the most powerful medications.

Epilepsy is a long-term neurological disorder classified as frequent seizures that vary from violent to convulsive attacks in brief intervals. These seizures occur as a result of malfunctioning electrical activities of the brain. The disruption in electrical activity is further caused by different factors such as genetics, brain injury, brain infections, etc. Although epilepsy can be healed by medications, a large number of patients suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy – a complex situation when the drugs don’t work in the treatment of epilepsy. For patients like these, the surgical procedure has evolved as a cornerstone of epilepsy treatment. As the treated organ in the surgery is the brain and the neuron system of the body, it requires the finest care and treatment for a successful outcome. These are the areas of expertise of Gleneagles Hospital, the best hospital for epilepsy treatment in Bangalore, recognised by its unique and careful approach to the treatment procedure of neurological disorders like Epilepsy.

Epilepsy surgery aims to determine the exact brain area where the seizures begin and, using various surgical techniques, excise or destroy this area to prevent seizures from recurring. Although the thought of surgery on the brain sounds a bit overwhelming, for those patients who have not been helped through medication, this option provides a high opportunity for better control of seizures and, in most instances, total freedom from seizures.

In contrast to epilepsy drugs, which can have undesirable side effects and might be effective in only certain patients, surgery is a more precise solution. Epilepsy surgery is optimal when the seizures are caused by a localised area of the brain. It is not the initial treatment, however; surgery would usually be the next option following the failure of two or more anticonvulsant drugs to suppress the seizures.

Epilepsy surgery in Bangalore and other parts of India can be divided into several types, each tailored to fit the specific needs of a patient based on the region affected by the abnormal electrical shock, the seriousness of the condition, and the overall health of the patient. Here are some of the most common types of epilepsy surgery:

1. Resective Surgery: It is the most common type of epilepsy surgery, which involves the removal of a small portion of the brain from where these seizures develop. The surgery is most commonly performed on one of the temporal lobes, the area responsible for memory, emotions, and knowledge of language. Respective surgery is particularly successful on seizures, which originate from a localised area, like when these are caused by brain injury or a tumour.
2. Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT): It is a minimally invasive form of epilepsy surgery, hence considered the best epilepsy treatment in Bangalore. As the name suggests, this method involves using a laser to destroy the tissue which causes a seizure. It is a more precise method as it uses magnetic resonance imaging to ensure precision. LITT is typically suggested to patients who have the origin of seizures in a complex region of the brain, which can not be touched with traditional procedures.
3. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): This surgery is the best epilepsy treatment in Bangalore ​and is generally used for patients who have multiple seizure-affected areas in the brain or patients who are not a suitable candidate for traditional surgery. This method includes implanting electrodes within the brain, with a small pacemaker placed under the skin in the chest. When a seizure arises, this device sends an electrical impulse to the brain to intersect with the abnormal electrical impulse of the brain.
4. Corpus Callosotomy: Corpus callosotomy is generally performed on children with seizures affecting one side of the brain and reaching the other side. This method involves complete or partial removal of the corpus callosum of the brain, which is the nerve fibre bundle that connects the two hemispheres of the brain.
5. Hemispherectomy and Functional Hemispherectomy: Hemispherectomy is the most extensive type of epilepsy surgery, which involves removing one complete hemisphere of the brain. This surgery is most commonly performed on children with serious or intractable seizures that have their origin in one side of the brain. Functional hemispherectomy is a form of hemispherectomy, and this method involves cutting the connection of the affected hemisphere to the other hemisphere without removing it. Although the surgery is highly invasive, it can give life-changing insights to children with severe epilepsy who do not respond to other treatments or medications.

Preparation for epilepsy treatment in Bangalore is the most crucial part of the surgery, which includes a number of comprehensive evaluation tests to identify the suitability of a candidate. These tests are further divided into a set of tests to help the neurologists identify the exact area of the brain responsible for the seizures. These sets include:

• Standard Electroencephalogram (EEG): This is the first step in evaluating the activities of the brain. In this method, electrodes are placed on the scalp to measure electrical signals produced by the brain when the patient is normal and not experiencing any seizures.
• Video EEG Monitoring: This is an advanced version of standard EEG, which is used to record brain activity along with the patient’s physical movements. The combination of EEG data and video footage helps in monitoring every activity of the patient to pinpoint the exact location and reason for the onset of a seizure.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): The imaging test is generally done to identify the presence of any tumours, brain injuries, or lesions which could be the reason for seizures. MRI is used to detect structural issues in the brain that need to be removed surgically.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET): This test is done to measure the metabolic activity of the brain, as epilepsy leads to reduced metabolic activity of the brain. PET can help identify the source of seizure for a tailored surgical intervention.
• Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT): This scan is used to measure the flow of blood during a seizure, as during a seizure, the brain tends to get an increased blood flow to the affected area, which eventually helps in identifying the exact point of origin of seizure.

Apart from these tests, your neurologist may also conduct some other tests to understand the function of the brain and make an informed decision. These tests include:

• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Wada Test
• Brain Mapping Tests
• Cognitive and Motor Function tests

Firstly, your hair needs to be shaved before the start of the actual procedure. The main focus of the procedure is to surgically remove the affected part of the brain with precision. This needs to be planned carefully. The steps of the procedure include:

• Anaesthesia: The patient will be given general anaesthesia to make them asleep during the surgery. During this time, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels are monitored.
• Skull Access: When the patient is asleep, the doctor will take a small piece of the skull to access the brain. This section will be removed delicately and put aside so that it can be reattached later.
• EEG Monitoring During Surgery: EEG can be employed during surgery to identify the exact location in the brain where seizures are initiated. This assists the doctor in going to the right location for the treatment.
• Brain Mapping: In some cases, patients are awakened by the surgeon for brain mapping. When the patient is conscious, the doctor uses electrical stimulation to identify sections of the brain responsible for crucial functions. This allows for safety from critical regions when operating.
• Reinsertion of the Removed Section of the Skull: When the cause of seizures is dealt with, the section of the skull that was cut off is restored and fixed with miniature titanium clips. These are harmless and not reactive to medical scanning.
• Closure of the Cut Incision: The incision in the scalp will be closed by the surgeon and bandaged carefully. This is to avoid infection and allow healing as the patient starts his or her recovery process after surgery.

Considering the severity and complexity of the epilepsy surgery, it is important to make an informed decision for the procedure, and the first important decision you need to make is to choose a good neurological hospital. This is where Gleneagles Hospital comes into the picture. We are the best hospital for epilepsy treatment in Bangalore, famous for our unique approach to the treatment of such complex procedures. Here are some other reasons why you should choose this innovative and modern hospital:

• Gleneagles Hospital is the home of some of the best epilepsy doctors in Bangalore.
• The hospital is equipped with modern and advanced technology to ensure precision and accuracy during epilepsy treatment in Bangalore.
• A high success rate of the epilepsy procedure.
• An individualised approach to fit the particular needs of a specific procedure.