Epilepsy - temporal lobectomy, AEDs and social stigma

Joint Event on 4^th International Conference on Epilepsy & Treatment & 4^th World Congress on Parkinsons & Huntington Disease

August 29-30, 2018 | Zurich, Switzerland

Torie Robinson

Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UK

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Neurol Disord

Abstract :

Abstract: Patient in early 30s with refractory, left temporal lobe epilepsy in a setting of left hippocampal sclerosis. Increase in seizure severity and freqency over 25 years, with worsening depression. Patient working in corporate environment. Aim: To decrease frequency and/or severity of seizures; increase quality of life and life expectancy Treatment: Temporal lobectomy Facts: Likely Cause of Epilepsy: â?¢ Lengthy febrile seizure aged 6months Past AEDs tried: â?¢ Sodium Valproate, Levetiracetam, Phenytoin AED side effects experienced: â?¢ Memory function decrease, fatigue, numbness (phenytoin), mood instability (Levetiracetam) Seizure triggers: â?¢ Sleep deprevation, anxiety, forgetting AEDs Further Diagnosis Related to Epilepsy/AEDs â?¢ Mental health issues â?¢ Thyroid: Hyperthyroidism â?¢ Migraines â?? developing 2018 Surgery Exploration Testing: â?¢ Video Telemetry â?¢ EEG â?¢ fMRI â?¢ Psychological evalutation/neuropsychology assessment inc IQ â?¢ Full understanding of surgery risks and potential outcomes by patient Surgical Procedure: â?¢ Left Temporal Lobectomy, Feb 2013 â?¢ CSF leak followed, leading to suture of the wound Post-operative Diagnoses Included: â?¢ Severe depression, extreme problems with memory, and exhaustion (for 6-12months) â?¢ Blind spot in right eye â?¢ 5 tonic-clonic seizures post surgery, last in November 2017 â?¢ Irregular complex partial seizures (average 4/5 per year) Current Drugs: â?¢ Levothyroxine 50mg QD â?¢ Lamotrigine 100mg BD â?¢ Lacosamide 100mg BD â?¢ Venlafaxine 150 BD â?¢ Clobazam 10mg Conclusion: Status: outcome Engel class 2 Patient has experienced significant decrease in number and severity of seizures. Along with psychological therapy, patientâ??s quality of life is greatly improved. Despite continued taking of AEDs, and infrequent seizures, the results of surgery is considered to be a success by patient. Patient has greater focus, continues to travel and has supportive partner and friends.

Biography :

With a corporate finance background, after her successful temporal lobectomy in 2013 and continued recovery from psychological diagnoses, Torie has became an active international public speaker and corporate consultant regarding epilepsy, disability, mental health, diversity and inclusion. Her purposes are to enlighten the uneducated, reduce the stigma held against those with disabilities (particularly epilepsy), and hold organisations accountable for corporate social responsibility when it comes to employment. Featuring on UK BBC London, 5Live, talkRadio, US Brain Waves Audio and Australian Noongar Radio, Torie’s BBC3 YouTube video in which she featured: “Things Not to Say to Someone with Epilepsy” has been viewed more than half a million times.

E-mail: torie@epilepsysparks.com