Epilepsy Program at OhioHealth

Leading-edge Surgical Treatment — Laser Ablation

OhioHealth is helping to transform the way patients with epilepsy are treated using Visualase®, advanced MRI-guided laser ablation technology that is a new minimally invasive option when medications no longer are effective. The technology enables our neurosurgeons to precisely target and destroy problematic brain tissue that causes epileptic seizures through a tiny hole in the skull. It reduces hospital stays and defines a new standard of care for patients.

Multidisciplinary Approach

Our epileptologists are part of a team of neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuropsychologists who work together to determine the best treatment for you. They also work closely with your neurologist to help manage and monitor your seizures with medications.

IF YOU’RE A CANDIDATE FOR SURGERY

Our epileptologists and neurosurgeons start by confirming whether surgery is feasible and safe using non-invasive and/or invasive electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor and evaluate your seizures and cortical stimulation mapping to localize and target them.

IF YOU’RE A CANDIDATE FOR VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION

Once our neurosurgeons have implanted a vagus nerve stimulator, our epileptologists work closely with your neurologist to monitor your response and manage stimulation levels.

IF YOU’RE PREGNANT

Our epileptologists and maternal fetal medicine specialists together follow epilepsy patients who are pregnant or who want to become pregnant. This team provides patient consultations, coordination of care with obstetrics and management of seizure medications to keep you and your baby safe.

IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL CARE AND SUPPORT

We consult with OhioHealth neuropsychologists and psychiatrists who provide diagnostic testing for the evaluation and treatment of intractable seizures. We also partner with the OhioHealth Behavioral Health team for treatment of depression and other psychiatric conditions if and when needed.

A Specialized Inpatient Epilepsy Monitoring Unit

In our state-of-the-art inpatient Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, epileptologists monitor brain activity and determine cause of recurrent unprovoked seizures. Testing helps your doctor decide:

• If the spells you are having are seizures
• How to best adjust your anti-epileptic medication regimen
• If you are having more seizures than you realize
• If you qualify for specialized surgical procedures designed to cure epilepsy altogether
• If you do have seizures, the EEG testing can help determine the type of seizures you are having and the best treatment for you. You should plan to spend three to five days in the EMU. Your physician will determine how long your stay will be.

For more information, please talk with your physician or call the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at (614) 788.6656 with your questions.