Epilepsy Treatment Options: Dr. Brian Snyder

Epilepsy

A patient has epilepsy if he or she experiences multiple seizures. For many people, this can be quite disabling. Epilepsy can interfere with a person’s ability to work, attend school, and function in other ways.

Nonsurgical Treatments for Epilepsy

Many patients with epilepsy do not require surgery. I am a functional neurosurgeon and I offer comprehensive care as part of a multidisciplinary team of specialists. I work with neurologists, epileptologists, neuropsychologists, neuro-anesthesiologists, neuro-radiologists, and other clinical specialists to optimize patient care. In many situations, medication adjustments and lifestyle changes are enough to control seizures.

Epilepsy Surgery: Palliative or Curative

For a large subset of patients, surgery can offer the hope of significantly decreased seizures or seizure freedom, thereby decreasing the risk of injury or death due to a seizure.

Epilepsy surgery may be either palliative or curative. When we perform curative surgery, we find the region of the brain of seizure onset, and we disconnect or remove that region. Palliative surgery, on the other hand, is performed to decrease seizure frequency and severity. This may include vagus nerve stimulation or other types of nerve stimulation.

Procedure A: Neuropace

Neuropace is a revolutionary new FDA-approved device offering the possibility of seizure freedom for many patients, including some who have been told that they weren’t not candidates for surgery in the past. We place electrodes over the brain and connect them to a pacemaker implanted in the skull. I have had good success with the Neuropace device, and I believe that it can be an opportunity for a better quality of life for many patients.

Procedure B: Visual-Ace

Visual-Ace involves placement of a probe attached to a laser. Through a tiny hole in the skull, we use this device to burn the cells in the region of the brain responsible for the seizures. Patients typically have an improved outcome and decreased recovery times compared to standard surgery, as well as seizure freedom for many. Patients return home the same day or the following day, depending on the procedure.

Many patients benefit from routine epilepsy treatment, including medications. Many patients also benefit from combination treatments, including procedures such as Neuropace or Visual-Ace.

We care for patients as if they are our family, and help them through these procedures without undue risk or complication. We look forward to answering any questions you might have at our office.