Vẽ chiều nayThe UofL Hospital Epilepsy Center has neurologists with specialized training who manage the care of patients in the unit and help direct the appropriate treatment path.
In the event a patient with epilepsy could potentially benefit from surgery, the epilepsy team of neurologists, neurosurgeons and a neuropsychologist meet to discuss the individual patient's case and determine what treatment path is best.
The range of services at the UofL Hospital Epilepsy Center include the latest in seizure monitoring, diagnosis and medical and surgical treatments.
Treating Epilepsy
There is no cure for epilepsy, but medications, surgery and implantable devices can often help control seizures. Medication therapy is usually the first treatment used. If anti-epileptic drugs do not help, surgery is sometimes an option depending on the location of the seizures and other patient factors. Epilepsy surgery involves removing seizure-causing areas of the brain. Implantable devices are another option for those whose seizures cannot be controlled by medication.
One type of device is the vagus nerve stimulator, which stimulates the vagus nerve in the neck to reduce seizure frequency. The other device is the RNS system. It monitors the brain's electrical activity and sends an electrical stimulation directly to the source of the seizure. Stimulation is not felt by the patient, and is designed to normalize the brain's electrical activity before the patient has a seizure.
Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) at UofL Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility staffed 24 hours a day by nurses who are specially trained to care for epilepsy patients. The unit allows our epilepsy team to truly diagnose whether or not a seizure is occurring.
Vẽ chiều nayThe only program of this kind in the region, our Epilepsy Monitoring Unit is dedicated to providing quality care, diagnosis and treatment.
Vẽ chiều nayThe EMU provides:
- Prolonged video-EEG monitoring services
- Leading-edge technology that allows for continuous, synchronized recording of EEG (brain waves) and video/audio of seizures
- Accurate determination of seizure type
- Pinpoint identification of the brain area generating the seizures
A family member is encouraged to accompany the patient throughout his or her stay. The unit features large, comfortable, private rooms that are fully equipped and monitored throughout the night by epilepsy nursing staff.
Vẽ chiều nayDuring monitoring in the EMU, seizure medications may be decreased or temporarily discontinued. Prior to discharge from the hospital, medications are reintroduced and/or modified based on the information obtained.
Electrodiagnostic Services
- 24-hour video EEG monitoring with surface electrodes with continuous monitoring
- 24-hour video EEG with intracranial electrodes under continuous monitoring by a nurse technologist
- Intracarotid amobarbital (WADA) testing - looks at memory and language functions by putting one cerebral hemisphere to sleep with a short-acting anesthetic and studying what functions are still working in the other hemisphere
- Functional cortical mapping - used to locate the focal point of seizures
- Electrocorticography - using electrodes directly on brain surface to record electrical activity
EMU40 EEG
Vẽ chiều nayThe Epilepsy Center has access to an EMU40™ EEG amplifier. Its wireless technology allows patients to move around the Epilepsy Center while still being monitored by epilepsy specialists, ensuring safe patient care. The EMU40™ EEG is able to accurately measure a patient’s physiology even when they are in motion.
