KFSHRC Achieves Milestone In Treating Drug-Resistant Epilepsy With Thermal Radiofrequency Technique

The King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh has announced a successful medical breakthrough. They have removed a drug-resistant epileptic focus causing severe seizures without resorting to traditional open-brain surgery. This innovative procedure, the first of its kind in the Middle East, used thermal radiofrequency combined with electroencephalography (EEG).

Dr. Ibrahim Althubaiti, a consultant neurosurgeon at KFSHRC, led this minimally invasive technique. It targets and neutralizes the epileptic focus that triggers recurrent seizures. These seizures often prevent individuals from participating in daily activities like studying and working. The frequent episodes also pose risks of physical injuries due to sudden loss of motor control.

This new method involves inserting a fine needle into the brain to destroy cells responsible for seizures. By eliminating the need for open-brain surgery, it reduces risks and speeds up recovery. Patients now have renewed hope of avoiding recurrent seizures, regardless of age.

The frequent visits to emergency departments add psychological and physical burdens on patients and their families. This also increases healthcare costs. The new procedure offers an effective solution to alleviate suffering and improve patients' quality of life.

The KFSHRC Neurosciences Center is internationally renowned for its surgical expertise and complexity of operations. It performed the separation of the epileptogenic lobe on the youngest child globally, just 14 days old. The center was also the first to implant thin electrodes for precise identification of epileptic foci.

Offering exceptional medical services to both local and international patients, KFSHRC demonstrates its capability to perform surgeries on children and adults alike. "This pioneering medical intervention is an effective solution that helps alleviate patients’ suffering and improves their quality of life," stated Dr. Althubaiti.

This groundbreaking approach not only enhances patient outcomes but also showcases KFSHRC's commitment to advancing medical techniques in neurosurgery.

With inputs from SPA