Epileptic kid loses seize control

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google News Five-year-old Maitreyo Dutta, was suffering from epilepsy from the age of two and was simply not responding to medication. Doctors at Fortis Malar Hospital performed an epilepsy surgery in an effort to improve the life of the ailing boy.Born preterm, the child suffered a brain hemorrhage which partially damaged the right side of his brain. At 2 ½ years of age he began experiencing seizures that occurred once a month. The seizure episodes usually lasted about 1-2 hours, requiring hospitalisation and intensive care. Despite the use of appropriate medication, the seizures recurred every month.An MRI scan revealed scarring of the right frontal region. While the whole right half of the brain showed abnormal epileptic activity. The result of a Video-EEG showed the seizures appearing to arise from the right frontal region. On January 20, a team of surgeons operated on the boy. Dr Dinesh Nayak said “The brain functions were monitored throughout the operation. The area in the brain controlling the hand and leg movement was identified by means of brain cortical stimulation. This is crucial, since this region needs to be preserved. Damage to this area can result in permanent paralysis of the limbs.”“Epilepsy is one of the commonest neurological conditions, with a prevalence rate of 0.5% and an incidence rate of 0.05%. Extrapolating these figures to the Indian population, there are over 6 million patients with epilepsy in the country. Epilepsy affects all age groups and all socio-economic strata. The highest incidence is in childhood and early adulthood. This has significant impact on the psychosocial, educational and emotional functioning of the individual and the family. By treating these patients early, before they develop handicap, we can restore their quality of life. They can get back to studies, get employed, get married and lead normal lives and contribute to society.” added Dr NayakMere diagnosis of epilepsy is insufficient. It is important to characterize the nature of the epileptic syndrome, so as to prognosticate and counsel the parents and the patient about the condition.“Our child has been suffering since he was two and a half years old. We were helpless to see him have about recurrent uncontrolled seizures every month. There was a time when he took five medicines a day, but nothing seemed to have any impact. We weren’t aware that surgery was an option for a long time. It strengthened our hope in his recovery. Thankfully this surgery has made a tremendous change in our son’s life. He now uses lesser medication; is alert and playful as every 5-year-old deserves to be. My advice to families in similar circumstance is to always stay positive. In the modern era where medical science has improved so much there is a possible solution,” said Samik Dutta, the boy’s father.“Maitreyo feared climbing stairs due to his weakness and fear of a fall, but now he has overcome his fear and climbs up all by himself, the surgery has changed my son’s life and helped him regain his confidence,” added DuttaThe surgery was completed in five hours, and Maitreyo had an uneventful postoperative period. He was discharged after five days and is now seizure-free.The team of doctors included Dr Dinesh Nayak, Head of Neurology, Dr V Sathish Kumar, Consultant Neuro Physician, Dr Malcolm Jeyaraj, Consultant Neuro Physician, Dr Ravi Mohan Rao, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Dr Pal, Consultant Neuro Anesthetist, and Dr Arul, Neurosurgeon.first published:August 28, 2012, 08:37 ISTlast updated:August 28, 2012, 08:37 IST
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Five-year-old Maitreyo Dutta, was suffering from epilepsy from the age of two and was simply not responding to medication. Doctors at Fortis Malar Hospital performed an epilepsy surgery in an effort to improve the life of the ailing boy.

Born preterm, the child suffered a brain hemorrhage which partially damaged the right side of his brain. At 2 ½ years of age he began experiencing seizures that occurred once a month. The seizure episodes usually lasted about 1-2 hours, requiring hospitalisation and intensive care. Despite the use of appropriate medication, the seizures recurred every month.

An MRI scan revealed scarring of the right frontal region. While the whole right half of the brain showed abnormal epileptic activity. The result of a Video-EEG showed the seizures appearing to arise from the right frontal region.

On January 20, a team of surgeons operated on the boy. Dr Dinesh Nayak said “The brain functions were monitored throughout the operation. The area in the brain controlling the hand and leg movement was identified by means of brain cortical stimulation. This is crucial, since this region needs to be preserved. Damage to this area can result in permanent paralysis of the limbs.”

“Epilepsy is one of the commonest neurological conditions, with a prevalence rate of 0.5% and an incidence rate of 0.05%. Extrapolating these figures to the Indian population, there are over 6 million patients with epilepsy in the country. Epilepsy affects all age groups and all socio-economic strata. The highest incidence is in childhood and early adulthood. This has significant impact on the psychosocial, educational and emotional functioning of the individual and the family. By treating these patients early, before they develop handicap, we can restore their quality of life. They can get back to studies, get employed, get married and lead normal lives and contribute to society.” added Dr Nayak

Mere diagnosis of epilepsy is insufficient. It is important to characterize the nature of the epileptic syndrome, so as to prognosticate and counsel the parents and the patient about the condition.

“Our child has been suffering since he was two and a half years old. We were helpless to see him have about recurrent uncontrolled seizures every month. There was a time when he took five medicines a day, but nothing seemed to have any impact. We weren’t aware that surgery was an option for a long time. It strengthened our hope in his recovery. Thankfully this surgery has made a tremendous change in our son’s life. He now uses lesser medication; is alert and playful as every 5-year-old deserves to be. My advice to families in similar circumstance is to always stay positive. In the modern era where medical science has improved so much there is a possible solution,” said Samik Dutta, the boy’s father.

“Maitreyo feared climbing stairs due to his weakness and fear of a fall, but now he has overcome his fear and climbs up all by himself, the surgery has changed my son’s life and helped him regain his confidence,” added Dutta

The surgery was completed in five hours, and Maitreyo had an uneventful postoperative period. He was discharged after five days and is now seizure-free.

The team of doctors included Dr Dinesh Nayak, Head of Neurology, Dr V Sathish Kumar, Consultant Neuro Physician, Dr Malcolm Jeyaraj, Consultant Neuro Physician, Dr Ravi Mohan Rao, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Dr Pal, Consultant Neuro Anesthetist, and Dr Arul, Neurosurgeon.