At the Clinic “AGIOS LOUKAS” there is an Epilepsy Program and a Special Crisis Recording Unit, which offer services to people with epilepsy and other similar problems. The above services belong to the activities of the Epilepsy Center, which was formed in mid-2002 and is part of the Neurological Department of the Clinic.

Services offered

The Epilepsy Center's modern Epilepsy Program is aimed at people experiencing seizures (or seizures that look like seizures) and its goal is to give these people the best possible care. For the success of this objective, it is necessary:

• Correct diagnosis.
• Collection and interpretation of information from the history, clinical examination and special examinations carried out in these cases. This information will lead to a clearer picture and will be evaluated accordingly in order to recommend specific treatments.
• Continuous information and information to patients about the prospects in the field of epilepsy, so that any new development in the disease is favourable to all patients.

Who is the Epilepsy Center for?

The categories of patients who can benefit from the services of the Epilepsy Center are mainly the following:

• Patients who we are not sure have epilepsy, while experiencing “seizures” similar to it (fainting attacks, stressful situations, movement disorders, etc.).
• Patients suffering from epilepsy, however, do not know which type of disease is from, which we need to know in order to guide the patient towards the correct treatment of their problem.
• Patients who experience the so-called “pharmaco-resistant forms of epilepsy”,that is, those whose seizures are not adequately controlled with standard treatments, so at least some of them can be helped by surgical treatment of the problem.

Epilepsy Program

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What does it include?

The extent and type of examination, to which each patient undergoes, is individualized according to the type of problem. The most basic examinations are the following:

Long-Term Video-Electroencephalographic Recordings

The Long-Term Video-Electroencephalographic Recordings are made at the Epilepsy Center, in a specially configured Unit and under close supervision of the patient by medical, technical and nursing staff. During the examination, the patient can do all his usual daily activities. With these records we achieve:

• The final diagnosis of the problem (whether or not it is epilepsy).
• Clarification of the type of epilepsy that the patient suffers from (for example, whether seizures start in a specific area of the brain and what it is).

Long-Term Intracranial Video-Electroencephalographic Recordings

In some of the patients who are candidates for surgery, we may need to use special recordings, intracranial, which are made with special electrodes placed with an intervention on the brain.

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain

This examination gives us more specific information about damage to the brain, which is not ruled out to be responsible for seizures. It is especially important to know the etiology of epilepsy, especially when considering the possibility of surgical treatment of the problem.

Neuropsychological Tests

These provide important information about the mental functions of the patient and their possible disorders due to brain damage and ongoing seizures or even adverse drug reactions. This information is especially important when planning surgery and we want to assess a patient's mental abilities and weaknesses in order to advise them on their path to school or professional employment and what kind of help they may need.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) of movement and speech 

This examination is done to identify areas in the brain that are important for movement and speech comprehension, so that the neurosurgeon can plan the operation in such a way as to avoid these areas and the associated risks of postoperative deficits in these functions.

EEG and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (EEG-fMRI)

Specifically for the detection of epileptic foci, we also apply the combination of EEG and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (EEG-fMRI), a new development in the field of preoperative epilepsy assessment, which is constantly gaining ground in major Epilepsy centers. Our Center is the only one in Greece and the Balkans that has this possibility, and in Europe there are no more than 15 other centers with this possibility.

Continuous care and monitoring

The result of interdisciplinary cooperation

The Epilepsy Program operates under the responsibility of a team of specially trained neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neuropsychologists and with the constant care and monitoring of experienced technicians and nursing staff.

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Innovative methods for treating patients with epilepsy

Stopping epileptic seizures or significantly improving their control

The Epilepsy Group of the Clinic “AGIOS LUCAS”, headed by Mr. Gargani, Neurologist - Epileptologist, Doctor of Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, applies innovative methods for the treatment of patients with epilepsy. These practices are for patients with epilepsy who are resistant to the relevant medications. The key to the success of these practices lies in the following:

• Preoperative control of epilepsy. During this, it is determined whether the patient is suitable for surgery. It is also being investigated whether he is at risk to his mental functions or any other neurological function from the operation. Doctors can predict the chances that the patient has of being seizure free after surgery.

• Correct and effective surgical treatment of epilepsy. The operation is performed using special electrodes, which guide the excision of the irritated tissue.

• Postoperative hospitalization for five to seven days.After postoperative care, the patient returns home. Medication is gradually reduced and sometimes it can even be stopped altogether.

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Seizure-free after surgery 75% of patients. In a 15-20% there is a significant improvement in crisis control, while only in 5-7% the situation remains without improvement.

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