Teen Goes Seizure-Free After A Novel Laser Brain Surgery

An innovative laser technology called MRI-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy- a minimally invasive surgery to remove brain tissue causing epilepsy has successfully cured a teenager to be seizure-free.

Groundbreaking Laser Surgery Can Reverse Epileptic Episodes

Angus Bain, 17 years old, has been suffering from debilitating epileptic fits at least once a week since he was four years old. In October, doctors at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh removed the brain tissue that had been causing him seizures for the past 13 years ().

Ten weeks later, Bain has not had a single incident. "I've never had such a long period not having a seizure, it's an amazing relief. I'm so happy," Bain was quoted as saying to BBC Scotland News.

Fits | Epilepsy | Convulsions - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs
Fits or convulsions or Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, involuntary seizures and is described as a chronic neurological disorder

‘Replacing invasive neurosurgery with cutting-edge laser therapy, not only lowers seizure episodes but also significantly reduces their recovery time too. #lasersurgery #epilepsy #seizures #fitsfree’

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"Christmas is a big occasion and now it will be even bigger this year." "Being able to have this surgery is amazing. I think it could change my life forever by making me able to do the things I haven't been able to do."

The innovative laser technology -- known as MRI-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) -- is minimally invasive and can reach the center of the brain. The surgery took just under two hours with a relatively short recovery time, the SWNS reported.

"The laser surgery is a fantastic development for specific patients and will give some with epilepsy a real chance to live a normal life," Jothy Kandasamy, consultant neurosurgeon at the Hospital, was quoted as saying.

Epilepsy and Slides - Animation
Epilepsy is a medical condition where the brain cells fire abnormal electrical signals that physically manifests as a ‘Seizure’. There should be two or more seizures before the term epilepsy should be used.

The surgery has been life-changing, not just for Bain, but for the entire family." Our lives have been consumed with Bain's epilepsy since he was four. He has been on lots of very heavy medication, had wires in his head, brain stimulation, so many tests, and scans," said his mother, Nicki Bain.

"The build-up to him having a seizure would last a few days, then after the seizure it would take another couple of days for him to recover, so I don't think he's ever actually had a normal day." Nicki said her son's "future is looking so bright, and we're incredibly proud and excited for him". However, it may take a year before he can come off the strong medication he is on so his brain recovers from the surgery, the report said.

Quiz on Fits
Fits or Seizures could happen due to a number of reasons. Not all fits qualify to being labeled as epilepsy. Fits manifest in various forms. Test your knowledge on fits by taking this ...

Reference:

Giving children the chance to be seizure free - (https://echcharity.org/the-chance-to-be-seizure-free/)

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Childhood Epilepsy - Introduction
Childhood epilepsy is a common cause of neurological morbidity. However it represents only a symptom complex, the disease and the etiological process of which needs to be defined.