Comprehensive pediatric epilepsy program
one of the most innovative pediatric epilepsy surgery programs in the world
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Updates with epilepsy care in Chicago at Lurie Children's hospital will be coming soon!
In general, my thoughts on epilepsy and surgery: Epilepsy care is complex. I am proud to be on a team that offers comprehensive epilepsy care. As a pediatric neurosurgeon, epilepsy surgery is one of the types of surgeries with which I can help children's and families' lives. My colleague in neurology/epilepsy is the Division Chief of Pediatric Epilepsy at Lurie Children's Hospital, Dr. Joyce Wu. She is a renowned physician-scientist who is an amazingly sharp epileptologist and a wonderfully compassionate doctor. Her work in high frequency oscillation detection work in EEGs is highly respected and NIH-funded, Her expertise and advocacy in Tuberous Sclerosis is recognized by her leadership with the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance. Together, we offer tailored, patient-centered treatment plans for our pediatric epilepsy patients along with the whole team at Lurie Children's Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy & Epilepsy Surgery Center. |
Patients may travel for evaluation and treatment by our surgical epilepsy program.
Our dedicated epilepsy program clinical coordinator helps patients navigate workup, diagnosis, and treatment plans. dlwilliams@luriechildrens.org Our hospital's 12-bed Epilepsy Monitoring Unit is equipped with robust monitoring capabilities and attentive staff. Download tips for your EMU stay here. . |
Endoscopic Epilepsy SurgeryI am one of a small number of surgeons in the world offering endoscopic hemispherectomy, after a rigorous process of responsible innovation in developing and applying novel surgical strategies. Read my post here.
Baby Aurora's family shares their gratitude and experience with minimally invasive endoscopic hemispherotomy epilepsy surgery at Lurie Children's Hospital. Endoscopic hemispherotomy featured in Houstonia Magazine's feature on top innovations in the Texas Medical Center 
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Stereotactic Laser AblationRead about a patient story with my colleague Dr. Tord Alden's laser ablation surgery. Many of us around the country have now adopted this surgical technique. This technique has multiple specific applications, including treatment of hypothalamic hamartoma, tuberous sclerosis, and other epilepsy disorders.
Responsive NeurostimulatonWe offer RNS (responsive neurostimulation) to patients who may be the right candidates to benefit from such surgeries. The first device of its sort available to our program to use is Neuropace.
Often, we find that patients who have traditionally not been candidates for resective epilepsy surgery may now have have an alternative surgical option. Watch our 90 minute informative webinar in partnership with DEE-P Connections and an incredible patient parent (Shae's mom) on Neurostimulators. Stimulators: could a VNS, DBS, or RNS help? Tuberous SclerosisComprehensive Tuberous Sclerosis Clinic
at Lurie Children's Hospital **a Designated TSC clinic by Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, meeting full multidisciplinary clinic standards Read about: Tuberous Sclerosis 101 |
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Other resourcesFamily advocacy and support: www.familytofamilynetwork.org
Epilepsy surgery - Hemispherectomy Foundation: hemifoundation.homestead.com Pediatric epilepsy surgery, brain injury, stroke: brainrecoveryproject.org DEE-P Connections - a wonderful resource bridging families looking for answers for Developmental & Epileptic Encephalopathies www.deepconnections.net/ Lennox Gastaut Foundation https://www.lgsfoundation.org/ Vagus nerve stimulationVideos on vagus nerve stimulator VNS therapy for epilepsy:
http://vnstherapy.com/get-started http://seizurecontrol.com/videos.html http://facebook.com/vnstherapyforepilepsy/videos YouTube channel: VNS therapy for epilepsy |
ResearchOEpilepsy affects almost 1% of the population in North America. We are constantly working to treat epilepsy in each of our patients. We also contributing to scientific understanding to hopefully find even better treatments and cures for other children in the future. Giving hope to future children is important to many of our own patients and families. All studies are subject to strict Institutional Review Board oversight and only with full parental consent.
We conduct clinical research and collaborate in scientific research across disciplines, including biomedical engineering, genetics, and molecular biology to name a few. Learn more about our collaborators and teammates: Gemma Carvill PhD at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Anne Berg PhD at Lurie Children's Hospital and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Rare Epilepsies and Brain Diseases Tissue Bank (REDDTB) at UCLA, Dr. Mathern Laboratory for Pediatric Brain Diseases at UCSD, Dr. Gleeson Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium PERC, Dr. Scott Perry |
Patient stories
My minimally invasive endoscopic epilepsy surgery program at Lurie Children's Hospital has been able to help many young children to young adults. Baby Aurora's family shares their gratitude and experience with endoscopic hemispherotomy. Ready about their story in "Pediatric Neurosurgeon Halts Baby's Seizures with Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery."
TMC Pulse magazine did a wonderful feature about Umair and his family on their journey with epilepsy. They share their new life after minimally invasive endoscopic hemispherotomy surgery, in "Saving Umair".
Endoscopic hemispherotomy was also highlighted in Houstonia Magazine's feature on top innovations in the Texas Medical Center.
Our patient's mom shares her family's journey with epilepsy and epilepsy surgery. Noah is 3 years seizure free!
Read "Sharing Noah's story" here on the TCH blog.
Mom gave her family's personal account when she shared their story in Woman's Day Magazine. The piece appeared in the Thanksgiving issue and reminds us all of what is important in life.
Noah was on TV, raising awareness for epilepsy: "After 1,600 seizures, Durant 5-year-old has 'miracle' recovery"
The family's inspiring story was also shared on People.com
His #Brainiversary is on my calendar.
TMC Pulse magazine did a wonderful feature about Umair and his family on their journey with epilepsy. They share their new life after minimally invasive endoscopic hemispherotomy surgery, in "Saving Umair".
Endoscopic hemispherotomy was also highlighted in Houstonia Magazine's feature on top innovations in the Texas Medical Center.
Our patient's mom shares her family's journey with epilepsy and epilepsy surgery. Noah is 3 years seizure free!
Read "Sharing Noah's story" here on the TCH blog.
Mom gave her family's personal account when she shared their story in Woman's Day Magazine. The piece appeared in the Thanksgiving issue and reminds us all of what is important in life.
Noah was on TV, raising awareness for epilepsy: "After 1,600 seizures, Durant 5-year-old has 'miracle' recovery"
The family's inspiring story was also shared on People.com
His #Brainiversary is on my calendar.
TV segment: our 8 year old patient Sammy and her family share their journey and experience with hemispherectomy surgery in hopes of inspiring others.
First Neuropace RNS responsive neurostimulation implanted for pediatric epilepsy in Texas: another leading edge surgical solution at TCH.