Cleveland performs first SEEG procedure

UAE—Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, has achieved a significant milestone by performing the UAE’s first stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) procedure.

This pioneering minimally invasive technique accurately identifies the origins of difficult-to-treat focal epileptic seizures within the brain.

The groundbreaking procedure was conducted on an Emirati patient who had been grappling with epilepsy for over ten years.

The operation, which lasted several hours, followed extensive multidisciplinary discussions and meticulous planning.

After the surgery, the patient was closely monitored for ten days in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, with the implanted leads continuously recording data.

During this period, the patient’s seizures were both captured spontaneously and deliberately triggered using the implanted leads.

This process helped to pinpoint the precise region of the brain responsible for the seizures, referred to as the “epileptogenic zone.”

The precise localization of these seizures is crucial as standard scalp EEG recordings and other non-invasive imaging techniques, such as MRI, PET-CT, and ictal SPECT scans, often fall short in identifying these critical areas.

Dr. Florian Roser, Chair of the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, who led the team, explained that SEEG becomes necessary when other methods cannot effectively localize seizures.

The challenge of SEEG lies in accurately placing electrodes deep within the brain while avoiding damage to vital structures and blood vessels.

According to Dr. Roser, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi utilizes advanced, UAE-exclusive software to integrate various imaging studies for the safest and most effective electrode placement.

Dr. Eugene Achi, a Staff Physician at the Neurological Institute and leader of a team of five epileptologists, emphasized the importance of early surgical intervention.

He noted that numerous studies indicate early surgery can significantly improve outcomes, including memory, quality of life, and success rates, which can reach up to 70% depending on individual cases.

Dr. Achi also underscored the procedure’s multidisciplinary nature, recognizing the collective efforts of epileptologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, neuroradiologists, and nuclear medicine radiologists.

He expressed pride in the team’s achievement, stating, “This success is a testament to our dedicated multidisciplinary team, our institution’s support, and the trust of the patient and his family.”

The successful completion of the UAE’s first SEEG procedure represents a significant advancement in the country’s medical field.

It offers renewed hope for patients with refractory epilepsy by reducing complications, minimizing post-operative pain, and enabling quicker recovery.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Neurological Institute, the first Level 4 Epilepsy Center in the UAE, provides comprehensive neurodiagnostic monitoring and sophisticated imaging modalities.

These allow for extensive epilepsy surgical evaluation and holistic treatment plans for patients with intractable epilepsy.

Epilepsy, a chronic disorder marked by recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical discharge in the brain, affects millions worldwide.

The World Health Organization estimates that around 5 million new cases are diagnosed yearly, with active cases ranging between 4 and 10 per 1,000 individuals.

While medications can manage epilepsy in up to 70% of cases, the remaining 30% who do not respond to medication may benefit from SEEG, which involves implanting thin electrodes in the brain to access areas that traditional techniques cannot reach.