LHSC Epilepsy Unit  [ LHSC Epi Logo ] 
[Epi Unit]LHSC's Epilepsy Unit is one of the two largest centres for the treatment of epilepsy in Canada. It is renowned throughout the world for its highly qualified team of professionals dedicated to the management of epilepsy, particularly epilepsy surgery. At LHSC, patients who experience debilitating epileptic seizures are evaluated to determine whether they could benefit from surgery. While the majority of patients treated in the Epilepsy Unit are from Ontario, patients from other Canadian provinces and as far away as Holland, Spain and Australia come to LHSC as a result of its specialized expertise. 

 
History 
In the early 1970s, Dr. Warren T. Blume, a neurologist and epileptologist, and Dr. John P. Girvin, a neurosurgeon and neurophysiologist, recognised the need for a specialized epilepsy unit in southwestern Ontario, one of Canada's most heavily populated areas. 

In 1977, Dr. Blume and Dr. Girvin became co-directors of The LHSC Epilepsy Unit, and set out to build a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals with expertise in epilepsy. The Unit was established with the generous support of grants from the Academic Development Fund of The University of Western Ontario, the Richard and Jean Ivey Fund, and the London Health Association, owners and operators of LHSC. 

In 1986, a consolidated four-bed inpatient unit was opened on the 10th floor of the LHSC campus. This increased the efficiency of the Unit's inpatient evaluation, as well as the number of patients able to undergo surgery. 

Over the years the waiting list for inpatient evaluation continued to grow, necessitating a further expansion of the Epilepsy Unit. Late in 1992, an additional four beds were dedicated for the treatment of epilepsy patients and the entire unit was relocated to a more desirable setting. It is expected that an additional 45 patients will be admitted to the unit annually bringing the total number of patients evaluated each year to over 125. LHSC's Epilepsy Unit is one of the two largest centres for the treatment of epilepsy in Canada. It is renowned throughout the world for its highly qualified team of professionals dedicated to the management of epilepsy, particularly epilepsy surgery. 

At LHSC, patients who experience debilitating epileptic seizures are evaluated to determine whether they could benefit from surgery. 

While the majority of patients treated in the Epilepsy Unit are from Ontario, patients from other Canadian provinces and as far away as Holland, Spain and Australia come to LHSC as a result of its specialized expertise. 
 
Key Features 
[Epi Unit]Extensive evaluation is essential to determine if a patient meets these criteria. The experienced team of multidisciplinary professionals available at LHSC has the knowledge, skill and technology to undertake this sophisticated evaluation. 
  • Optimal environment for patient evaluation . Sophisticated computer systems for EEG
  • Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging to find the origin and causes of patient seizures more accurately
  • Multidisciplinary approach involving a team with more than 20 years experience consisting of. 
    • neurologists & neurosurgeons
    • neuropsychologists
    • registered nurses
    • neuropathologists
    • neurophysiologists
    • psychiatrists
    • EEG technologists
    • computer systems analysts
 
Patient Environment 
Located on the 10th floor, the eight-bed Epilepsy Unit provides spacious and comfortable accommodation for patients hospitalized for a three- to six-week evaluation period. Special features of the unit include: 
  • Pleasant surroundings with a view of the University of Western Ontario campus
  • Sophisticated bedside EEG monitoring equipment that allows maximum freedom of movement
  • Round-the-clock attention from highly trained and caring nursing staff
  • Interaction with other epilepsy patients
 
Research & world Class Teaching Hospital 
Many young neurologists and neurosurgeons from around the world come to LHSC to learn about the surgical treatment of epilepsy. Many of these individuals take the knowledge and skills they acquire here to their colleagues at other health science centres. Others ultimately join the LHSC staff, adding to the high quality of its program. Significant research achievements have been made here since the early 1970s. Many new research initiatives to improve diagnosis and evaluation are currently underway. Our computer and technical specialists are working to improve the EEG recording systems and electrode arrays used to monitor brain activity in epileptic patients. 

Our research scientists are keenly interested in identifying the factors which will increase the likelihood of a successful surgical outcome and decrease the likelihood of unwanted side effects. Current studies are addressing the following questions: 

  • What are the physiological, neurological, lifestyle and environmental factors which contribute to successful surgery?
  • What is the effect of successful surgery on patient emotional and mental health?
  • What are the effects of surgery on memory?
  • What factors contribute to patient satisfaction from admission to discharge?
 
Epilepsy Surgery 
The surgical management of epilepsy is considered as an alternative for patients whose condition is so severe that it cannot be satisfactorily managed by medication. The majority of patients who meet the criteria for epilepsy surgery experience improvements in seizure control after their operation. Extensive evaluation is essential to determine if a patient meets these criteria. The experienced team of multidisciplinary professionals available at LHSC has the knowledge, skill and technology to undertake this sophisticated evaluation. 

For more information see Epilepsy Surgery. 

 
 [ Cstorm ] Calming the Storm - the Video 

 
This video describes our Epilepsy Unit, treatment and surgery for epileptic patients as provided at LHSC. 

It is available to medical centres and physicians upon request. 
For more information email us at Calming the Storm 
 
 
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EEG Services Epilepsy Unit CNS Dept Staff R&D Epilepsy Events & Announcements Email us
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