Corpus Callosotomy
Corpus Callosotomy is a surgical procedure to treat epilepsy. Epilepsy, which is a chronic medical condition, affects individuals for the long term and leads to recurrent seizures in both children and adults. Typically, the treatment is performed under the care of the best neurosurgeons in India. During the corpus callosotomy procedure, an incision is made through the brain's corpus callosum. The corpus callosum, which is a type of band of nerve fibers, joins the two halves of the brain (hemispheres) and relays messages from one hemisphere to the other. As a result, the corpus callosum prevents seizure signals from crossing back and forth between the two hemispheres, thus limiting the spread of seizure activity. This surgery is also known as callosal sectioning or brain splitting.
Epilepsy surgery consists of various types, and corpus callosotomy is one of them. However, corpus callosotomy surgery is only recommended when antiseizure medications fail to relieve or treat the seizures effectively. In general, the entire procedure is performed under the supervision of experienced surgeons, involving a careful surgical cut of the band of fibers that join the two halves of the brain.
Effect of Corpus Callosum Separation on Seizure Control and Brain Activity
Corpus collosum in India which is surgically separated prevents signals from transferring between one side of the brain to the other side. Seizures still occur on the side where they develop, they can no longer spread to the opposite side. After surgery, seizures are typically less severe, as they affect only one half of the brain.
The surgery can be done at the best neuro hospital in Delhi, India under the supervision of great professionals.
Corpus Callosotomy for Atonic Seizures and Limitations
A corpus callosum surgical intervention is used to treat patients who experience atonic seizures, offering an alternative to taking anti seizure medication. Atonic seizures, which cause a sudden loss of muscle strength, often lead to a collapse or a drop to the ground. As a result, these seizures significantly increase the risk of injury, such as broken bones and concussions. Additionally, atonic seizures are also referred to as drop attacks.
However, a corpus callosotomy isn't an effective treatment for partial seizures, which form in a small portion of the brain but do not spread to the other side. In contrast, corpus callosotomy is more beneficial when seizures begin on one side of the brain and then rapidly spread to the other side.
Diagnoses before corpus callosotomy
The neurosurgeon will perform some pre surgical tests to find the exact origin of seizures. These tests include:
Electroencephalogram (EEG): An EEG is performed to analyze the electrical seizure activity in the brain.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This imaging testing technology helps to evaluate structural changes in the brain that may be a reason for seizures.
Positron emission tomography (PET): A PET scan leads to identify areas of the brain where seizures start.
Procedure to perform corpus callosotomy
- Before starting the procedure the very first step is to give general anesthesia to the patient due to which the patient feels no pain during the procedure.
- The neurosurgeon will access the brain by opening the skull known as craniotomy.
- A piece of skull is removed to get access to the surgical site.
- Very carefully, a section of dura is removed, the tough membrane that protects the brain.
- A special instrument is inserted to get the access to the corpus callosum, by directly analyzing it through a microscope, once found a surgical cut is made through the corpus callosum.
- Replaces dura in the same place.
- Stitches or staples are made to secure the skull bone, and placed back into its original place.
Risk of the corpus callosotomy
Some of the common risk of corpus callosotomy include:
- Balance issues and loss of coordination
- Increased partial seizures on one side of the brain
- Strok
- Infection
- Swelling in the brain
- Speech problem
Cost of corpus callosotomy in India
The cost of Corpus Callosotomy in India is affordable and cost effective. India is a hub medical treatment, it has multilingual staff that makes communication easier for international patients. India is among the top countries with advanced technology that leads to making it more approachable.
Moreover, the total cost of the treatment varied depending upon various factors such as choice of the hospital, expertise of the skilled surgeons, or type of surgery.
Summary
Corpus Callosotomy is a surgical procedure to treat epilepsy. Epilepsy, which is a chronic medical condition, affects individuals for the long term and leads to recurrent seizures in both children and adults.
The corpus callosum, which is a type of band of nerve fibers, joins the two halves of the brain (hemispheres) and relays messages from one hemisphere to the other.
