Epilepsy and Functional Neurosurgery
Pediatric Neurosurgical Conditions
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It affects children of all ages and may arise from many different causes, including congenital brain abnormalities, genetic conditions, tumors, stroke, infection, trauma, or metabolic disorders. For many children, seizures can be effectively controlled with medication. However, approximately one-third of pediatric patients have drug-resistant epilepsy, in which seizures persist despite appropriate medical therapy.
Children with epilepsy may experience a wide range of seizure types, from subtle staring spells and brief lapses in awareness to convulsive seizures involving the entire body. Ongoing seizures can interfere with learning, development, behavior, and overall quality of life, making early and accurate diagnosis essential. Comprehensive evaluation includes advanced neuroimaging, prolonged video-EEG monitoring, neuropsychological testing, and, when necessary, specialized functional studies to precisely identify the source of seizures.
For children with medication-resistant epilepsy, surgical treatment may offer the best chance for seizure control or cure. Surgical options include focal resection of the seizure focus, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), neuromodulation therapies such as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and responsive neurostimulation (RNS), and corpus callosotomy for selected cases. These advanced techniques allow treatment to be tailored to each child’s unique brain anatomy and seizure pattern while preserving critical neurological function.
Our multidisciplinary epilepsy program integrates neurosurgery, neurology, neuropsychology, radiology, and rehabilitation to provide personalized, comprehensive care. We partner closely with families to guide them through diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management, with the goal of maximizing seizure control, cognitive development, independence, and quality of life.