Carolinas Epilepsy Center has helped hundreds of individuals take control of their epilepsy. Our dedicated staff of highly trained physicians along with the most advanced diagnostic tools available makes this level of success possible. Our multidisciplinary approach to patient care integrates all services to provide each individual with a care plan tailored to their specific needs.
Our assessment begins in the seizure clinic where our physicians perform a careful history and review of the patient's records to determine the optimal treatment option for each patient. If medications alone do not control the patient's seizures, the patient can choose between several alternative treatments, including epilepsy surgery, vagal nerve stimulator implants and even special diets, supported by a dedicated ketogenic diet clinic.
For patients with particularly intractable seizures, one of our epileptologists along with a dedicated nursing staff, are able to provide 24-hour continuous attended monitoring while the patient's seizures are recorded in a state-of-the-art epilepsy monitoring unit. Using data from EEG, MRI, PET and SPECT scans, the physicians work to pinpoint the source of seizures, the first step toward successful treatment.
Guided by Neuropsychologic testing and intracarotid amytal procedures (Wada tests), our staff evaluate whether epilepsy surgery would put important language or memory centers at risk. Then, if appropriate, further brain mapping is performed, either before or during surgery, to ensure that these important functions are preserved while the seizure focus is removed.
Led by fellowship-trained epileptologist Bruce N. Mayes, MD, the Carolinas Epilepsy Center provides the full range of diagnostic and surgical procedures that are essential for optimizing treatment and outcomes for patients with intractable epilepsy, all while ensuring that the patient's needs are met in a caring and compassionate environment.
Dr. Mayes works in close collaboration and partnership with neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Heafner. Their combined 50 plus years of experience in epilepsy surgery allows the Center to offer the most advanced surgical solutions available today.
Special diagnostic procedures performed at the Epilepsy Center include:
- Ictal and interictal SPECT scans
- Functional MRI and PET
- WADA testing
- Sphenoidal electrode recording
- Intracranial recording with subdural and depth electrodes
- Brain mapping, including speech and sensorimotor mapping
- Neuropsychologic testing
Surgical procedures performed with experienced neurosurgeons include:
- Focal cortical excision
- Lobectomy
- Vagal nerve stimulator implantation
- Multilobar resection
- Multiple subpial transection
- Corpus Callostomy
- Hemispherectomy
Clinical trials may be available for epilepsy patients - search the trials database.
