The Columbus Dispatch: MRI-guided laser surgery for epilepsy patients less invasive

3 million people in the United States have epilepsy, and there are 150,000 new cases of epilepsy in the United States each year. It's a condition that can rob a person of their freedom and sense of peace.

Recently, Columbus Dispatch reporter, Lori Kurtzman, spoke with OhioHealth neurologist, Dr. Emily Klatte, and neurosurgeon, Dr. Girish Hiremath, about a new procedure that’s showing promise in slowing or even stopping seizures.

Not knowing when and how an epileptic seizure will strike forced Jennifer Casto to set down the keys to her car and step down from her job as a church pastor. She has had epilepsy for decades.

Jennifer Casto has had epilepsy for decades and has tried different medications to slow the seizures with little success.

Jennifer's neurologist, Dr. Emily Klatte, says epilepsy is a neurologic condition characterized by usually more than one unprovoked seizure. The bursts of electrical activity affect groups of neurons that trigger symptoms.

Since Jennifer’s epilepsy began in the temporal lobe behind her left ear, doctors thought a new, less invasive treatment, called Visualase, might work.

OhioHealth Neurosurgeon, Dr. Girish Hiremath, drilled a tiny hole in Jennifer’s skull. He then used a brain scan to guide a catheter to the part of Jennifer’s brain where the seizures were starting. Then, he applied heat to destroy the problem tissue.

Jennifer went home the next day and has had no seizures in more than four months.

To read Lori’s story, click on The Columbus Dispatch logo.

Learn more about OhioHealth’s epilepsy program.