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Epilepsy Surgery Program

Laser Ablation Surgery for Epilepsy

Laser Ablation Surgery for Epilepsy

Laser Ablation Surgery for Epilepsy

Texas Children's Hospital is the first hospital in the world to use real-time MRI-guided thermal imaging and laser technology to destroy lesions in the brain that cause epilepsy and uncontrollable seizures.

According to hospital experts, this new surgical approach offers a safer and significantly less invasive alternative to craniotomy, currently the most commonly used cranial surgical treatment for epilepsy. For high-risk patients with deep brain lesions, this new technique can be particularly life-changing because the MRI-guided laser probe utilizes a much smaller pathway through the brain to reach a deep lesion. This reduces the risk of patient complications related to contact with surrounding brain tissue. In addition, the MRI-guided laser probe is inserted through a hole in the skull that is only 3.2 mm (about the diameter of a pen) versus the removal of a larger area of skull bone for a craniotomy. Because it is a less invasive procedure, patient recovery time is much shorter. 

Luke's Story

At three weeks old, Luke was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis, a rare disease that causes benign tumors to grow on the brain and other vital organs. As a result of his disease, he experienced frequent seizures that affected his development and safety. Luke was referred to Texas Children’s Neuroscience Center for laser ablation surgery. The surgery was a tremendous success and Luke is now seizure-free.

For more information or to find out if your child is a candidate for this procedure, please call 832-822-3950 or email us at epilepsysurgery@texaschildrens.org.