Stereo-electroencephalography, or SEEG, is a component of an advanced epilepsy workup. Not every patient with epilepsy will need to undergo SEEG, however a subset of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy will need this invasive diagnostic test to better pinpoint the source of their seizures, and determine which surgical therapy would be best suited to their type of epilepsy.
SEEG involves the implantation of multiple, carefully planned, depth electrodes into the brain, often using a combination of image guidance and robotics. After the electrodes are implanted, the patient spends 1-3 weeks in an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit under the management of trained epileptologists who will be using the electrodes to learn more about the patient’s seizure networks. Once there is enough data, the neurosurgeon can remove the leads prior to the patient’s discharge.
SEEG is one of the safest procedures done by a neurosurgeon in trained hands, and the quality of information about a patient’s seizure network is unmatched. If you or a loved one may be a candidate for SEEG, please talk to your doctor or use our Specialist Finder to find an expert near you.