Spectrum of neurosurgeon's role in epilepsy surgery.
It is well known that there is high quality evidence of epilepsy surgery as an effective and safe option for patients with drug refractory epilepsy by advanced imaging technology and computerized electrophysiological facilities during recent three decades. However, it still remains debate regarding necessities of epilepsy surgery in terms of less satisfactory surgical outcome, especially in non-lesional neocortical epilepsies. This review is for the role of epileptic neurosurgeon rather than the role of epilepsy surgery, namely, the necessity of neurosurgeon's positive participation starting from the first visit of epilepsy patients followed by pertaining process by stages and its degree of contribution. All experienced epilepsy centers also need innovative or challenging trial absolutely through this kind of standpoint, because all of the present protocols and techniques are coming from the past. In any event, the interdepartmental and interpersonal cooperation is inevitable especially for improving patient's quality of life. Serious neurosurgical considerations are needed for patients with intractable epilepsies, especially in referred cases from other center for the purpose of double check, and incongruent cases with contrary opinions by epileptologist.
Department of Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Center, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, South Korea. Electronic address: drson@dsmc.or.kr.
Eun-Ik
EI
Son
Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, South Korea.
Ji-Eun
JE
Kim
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000601:surgery*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D000069471:Neurosurgeons; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Epilepsy; Epilepsy surgery; Neurosurgeon; Procedural issues; Quality of life