Testing an online screening tool for epilepsy surgery evaluation

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Epilepsy surgery effectively controls seizures in drug-resistant epilepsy.
• A gap exists in referring patients for video-electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring and surgical evaluation.
• The Canadian Appropriateness of Epilepsy Surgery (CASES) online tool aids physician referrals for refractory epilepsy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the CASES tool's utility in identifying epilepsy surgery candidates.
• To facilitate clinical decision-making for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis using the CASES platform.
• 211 patients from an Epilepsy Clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil, were evaluated over 3 months.
• Data collected from medical records and clinical appointments.

Main Results:

• 59.6% of patients were identified as potential candidates for video-EEG monitoring and surgical evaluation.
• Seizure frequency, number of antiseizure medications (ASMs) trialed, and adverse effects were associated with recommendations.
• CASES demonstrated potential in guiding video-EEG and surgical referral recommendations.

Conclusions:

• The CASES tool shows significant potential for guiding video-EEG monitoring and epilepsy surgery referrals.
• This tool may improve patient treatment and outcomes.
• CASES could contribute to cost savings in epilepsy management.