Surgery for seizures
Article Abstract:
Surgery techniques attempt to eliminate epilepsy seizures in those patients not responsive to antiepileptic drugs. Twenty percent of epileptics continue to have seizures. Technical advances in diagnostic imaging and surgical procedures have improved the clinical outcome for many patients. Surgery can be very successful for patients with mesial temporal-lobe epilepsy, the most common type of epilepsy resistant to most medical treatment. Uncontrollable seizures can be identified reliably by EEG patterns, MRI and interictal positron-emission tomography. Surgical intervention early in the disease will provide the chance of leading a near-normal life with employment, even if dependence on family and social welfare continues. Microsurgical techniques have improved routine procedures and serious complications formerly associated with hemispherectomy may now be avoided.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1996
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Lorazepam for the prevention of recurrent seizures related to alcohol
Article Abstract:
The drug lorazepam appears to be beneficial in preventing seizures caused by alcohol. Emergency physicians randomly assigned 229 alcoholics admitted to the ER for seizures to take a single dose of lorazepam or a placebo. Within six hours, 24% of the placebo group had a second seizure compared to 3% of the lorazepam group. Members of the placebo group were twice as likely to be admitted to the hospital as the lorazepam group. Even after discharge, those in the placebo group were more likely to have another seizure.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1999
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Finally, a randomized, controlled trial of epilepsy surgery
Article Abstract:
Surgery for epilepsy may be more effective than drugs, according to a study published in 2001. This was the first clinical trial that compared surgery to drugs, and it found that 64% of the surgery patients had no more seizures up to one year later, compared to only 8% of those taking drugs.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2001
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