Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
The main treatment goal of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is evident by the big "No Seizures" pin worn by our experts. Just 10 years ago, seizure-free living was unthinkable for many people with epilepsy. Today it can be achieved, even for difficult-to-control cases.
Some facts about our Comprehensive Epilepsy Center · You know you’ll be working with experienced, knowledgeable specialists at Wake Forest Baptist’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. That’s because our Center is internationally recognized for the management of epilepsy as well as one of the top-rated epilepsy programs in the country. In addition, we have the only program in western North Carolina meeting the National Association of Epilepsy Centers’ Level IV guidelines – the highest level of accreditation that a medical center can achieve. · We also offer you a full range of services from routine screenings to treatment options for the most complicated cases. Because we are an academic medical center and a leader in epilepsy treatment, we can offer patients early access to the newest medications through clinical trials. Our epileptologists – including specialists in pediatric epilepsy – are experts in selecting the drug combinations must suitable for each individual patient. When medication alone can’t control seizures, we evaluate patients for other treatment options including surgical procedures. · Our Center is one of only 29 clinical sites in the country – and the only site in North Carolina or surrounding states – to utilize magnetoencephalography (MEG), an innovative diagnostic tool that provides valuable information about normal and abnormal brain function.
| Learn more about our pediatric epilepsy program |  Video
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| Who are the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center specialists?
Dr. John Toledo; Patricia Gibson, ACSW;
Dr. William Bell; Dr. Maria Sam; Valerie
Woodard, RN; Dr. Cormac O’Donovan
Our comprehensive team of epilepsy specialists collaborates to determine the best treatment for each patient. The team includes: - Full-time epileptologists who are experts in medical management of the disease.
- A neurosurgeon experienced in epilepsy surgery.
- Nurse clinicians who help educate patients about the disease and answer day-to-day questions.
- Three pediatric-trained neurologists.
- Social work services to help patients and families cope with psychological and social issues.
- A pharmacist with advanced knowledge of antiepileptic drugs.
- A neuropsychologist for testing of cognitive function.
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Surgical options now available
Temporal lobectomy, a surgical procedure that involves removing parts of the temporal lobe that cause seizures, is offering hope to epilepsy patients who have not been responsive to medical therapy.
Neurologists and neurosurgeons at Wake Forest Baptist use electroencephalograms (EEG), positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the state-of-the-art Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) to pinpoint the exact origin of the disease. Surgeons then remove the scarred tissue to reduce or eliminate the seizures.
The surgery removes a small part of the temporal lobe, part of the brain that extends from the temples to just past the ears. Patients must have failed at least one standard and one new medication to be considered for surgery. Eighty percent of patients are cured with this procedure and 95 percent have a dramatic reduction of their seizures. It adds a tremendous amount to their quality of life.
About 30 temporal lobectomies are performed each year at the medical center. In March 2006 we performed a temporal lobectomy during a live internet broadcast.
Temporal Lobectomy
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