Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai has successfully performed a Cyberknife Radiosurgery procedure on a 34-year-old athlete from Auckland, New Zealand, relieving him from symptoms of a special form of epilepsy called Medial temporal lobe Epilepsy(MTLE) while preserving his memory.
The 34-year-old patient who is an athlete and a software professional, started experiencing recurrent episodes of a sense of butterflies in his stomach with occasional attacks of unconsciousness in 2009. He was undergoing treatment for Simple partial seizures in New Zealand, but between 2010 to 2015 he had multiple seizure attacks. The imaging results revealed rare type of Epilepsy called Medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) which were controlled with anti-epileptic medicines. However, patient’s seizures increased in frequency and could not be controlled with medications. Eventually, he was advised to explore a surgical option in New Zealand. He consulted Dr. Shankar, Senior Radiation Oncologist & Cyberknife Expert at Apollo Cancer Center around January 2021 and was advised to undergo a detailed neuropsychological assessment. Patient had visual memory scores at 90th percentile before any surgical interventions.
Dr. Muthukani, Senior Epileptologist, Apollo Hospitals alluded that MTLE is one of common type of epilepsy and is often characterized by the sense of an aura immediately preceding the seizure. MTLE affects the inner part of the temporal lobe of the brain, specifically in area called the hippocampus, which processes memories.
Microsurgery is the first treatment option for Drug resistant MTLE. However, surgery poses some risk to memory. Patient was keen on preserving his memory and get his seizures under control by exploring a promising alternative option- Cyberknife Radiosurgery. Cyberknife is a non-invasive option which involves delivery of X-Rays/Gamma rays with great (sub mm) accuracy. It is a day care procedure and completed in a single session over 30 minutes.
Dr. Shankar said that “Radiosurgery is not for all MTLE patients. It is used in select indications who fit into the following criteria – young patients with a high level of functioning, socially adapted, working, and with only a few neuropsychological deficits before treatment. Radiosurgery in such patients provide favorable efficacy (nearly 70% Engel class 1 response) comparable to surgical series and superior memory preservation.”
Patient has been tapered of the medications to lower doses and there are no new episodes of seizures. He is back to his regular work with rejuvenated energy.
