Diagnosis - Intracranial Brain Electrode Recording
For patients undergoing epilepsy surgery it is critical that the epilepsy doctor identify
the correct area of abnormal brain to be removed. Sometimes enough information can
be obtained from routine epilepsy monitoring and other outpatient testing to allow
the patient to go directly to surgery. However, in other cases there may be some uncertainty
in identifying the abnormal brain area. In most instances the abnormal area can then
be identified by placing electrodes on the surface of the brain underneath the skull
(subdural electrodes) or within the substance of the brain (depth electrodes). The
placement of the electrodes inside the skull is a safe procedure that allows the physician
to pinpoint the area of seizure onset. Another reason intracranial electrodes are
used is to allow the physician to make sure it is safe to remove the area of abnormal
brain before surgery. This is accomplished by putting tiny currents of electricity
through the intracranial electrodes to test the function of the underlying brain (e.g.,
speech, hearing, vision, feeling, etc.) and determine if it can be safely removed.
In 2018, Children's Hospital of New Orleans received the first robotic device in the
state of Louisiana for the stereotactic placement of EEG leads. The ROSA® is an innovative
device that allows EEG leads to be placed into brain tissue in a minimally invasive
manner. This prevents the need for large surgical incisions, craniotomy (opening
the skull), and significant post-operative recovery. The device allows for epileptologists
to locate and monitor a seizure focus within the brain in better preparation for epilepsy
surgery.
In June, 2019, Center Neurosurgeon, Dr. Jerome Volk, and Center Neurologist, Dr. Jeremy Toler, were interviewed about this exciting new device. Click this link to see their interview: https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/health/new-surgical-robot-helps-stop-louisiana-mans-epileptic-seizures/289-ef00a4fc-2fed-4b28-b0a8-2650c6bdcc87