Laser Ablation Offers Hope for Children with Epilepsy

Source: Epilepsia

Summary

This study looked at the effects of a treatment called stereotactic MRI-guided laser ablation (SLA) on children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) who have epilepsy that does not respond to medication. The researchers focused on 40 patients, ranging in age from 11 months to 23 years, who received this treatment between July 2016 and January 2022. They wanted to see how well the treatment worked over time, particularly in reducing seizures and improving development.

The key findings showed that 80% of the patients had a significant drop in their total seizure frequency, with 63% experiencing a reduction of over 90%. Additionally, 58% of the patients were completely free from the specific type of seizures that the surgery targeted. Many families reported improvements in their children's development, and 40% of patients were able to reduce the number of anti-seizure medications they were taking. Most patients had good outcomes, with 93% classified as having a positive response to the treatment.

These results are important because they suggest that SLA can be a safe and effective option for young children with TSC and difficult-to-treat epilepsy. However, not all patients were able to reduce their medications, and the study relied on family reports for developmental improvements, which may not provide a complete picture. Future research will need to include more detailed testing to better understand how this treatment affects development in these children.

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