By Dr. Badih Adada, MD
For individuals living with epilepsy, the challenges go far beyond managing seizures. Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder that profoundly affects a person’s daily life. Advances in medical technology and specialized care are providing new hope.
Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital is at the forefront of epilepsy care in Florida and the nation, offering cutting-edge treatments, personalized approaches, and access to top-tier specialists.
Jorge Rodriguez
Consider the story of 31-year-old Jorge Rodriguez, a young artist with autism who struggled with seizures that once dominated his life. Jorge turned to Cleveland Clinic after years of being prescribed medications that failed to control his condition. After a thorough evaluation by our team of experts at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital’s epilepsy unit, we identified a lesion in Jorge’s right frontal lobe and the source of his seizures: Focal Cortical Dysplasia (FCD), which describes a focal area of abnormal brain cell development. Following a successful surgery during which we removed the lesion, Jorge is now seizure-free, able to focus on his art and lead a life with fewer limitations. His story is just one of many that demonstrate the clinic’s expertise in providing high-quality epilepsy care.
Epilepsy affects 3.4 million Americans, with many experiencing frequent seizures that don’t respond to traditional medications. For these individuals, specialized care centers, like those at Cleveland Clinic, are crucial. Cleveland Clinic offers a multidisciplinary approach, where neurologists, neurosurgeons, and epileptologists collaborate to develop individualized treatment plans.
Comprehensive Care and Advanced Treatments
What sets Cleveland Clinic’s epilepsy care apart is the range of services available to patients, from diagnostic testing to surgical interventions. For patients whose seizures can’t be controlled with medication, a variety of surgical treatments are offered, including resection and neurostimulation. Such surgeries can dramatically improve a patient’s quality of life.
Our neurologists and neurosurgeons are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as long-term video EEG monitoring, helping specialists accurately diagnose the type of epilepsy a patient has. In addition, patients have access to neuroimaging technologies, essential for identifying areas of the brain responsible for seizure activity.
A Patient-Centered Approach
Cleveland Clinic’s commitment to epilepsy care goes beyond innovative treatments — it’s about providing individualized attention. The care team ensures that treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s needs, offering not just medical and surgical treatments but also counseling and support services to navigate the emotional and psychological challenges associated with epilepsy.
Dr. Claudia Vallin, D.O., an epilepsy specialist at Cleveland Clinic, notes, “We now have a wider range of treatment options, including newer medications, epilepsy surgery – where we remove abnormal brain tissue or perform minimally invasive laser ablation – and neuromodulation devices to reduce the seizure frequency. Our goal is to work closely with each patient to understand the impact of epilepsy on their daily lives and find the right combination of therapies.”
For families like Jorge’s, Cleveland Clinic’s expertise has been life-changing. After years of unpredictable seizures, they found hope in the epilepsy team at Weston. With his condition now under control, Jorge is thriving and able to pursue his passion for art without fear of interruption. His mom, Airin, is also freer to live without the constant worry that her son’s seizures might harm him.
The Future of Epilepsy Care
Cleveland Clinic specialists are transforming lives and leading the way in epilepsy care. Through a combination of cutting-edge technology, comprehensive treatment options, and personalized care, patients with epilepsy are finding hope. Whether through advanced surgery, medication, or compassionate support, Cleveland Clinic is making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by epilepsy — one patient at a time.
Dr. Badih Adada is chair of the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic in Florida and is the chair of the Department of Neurosurgery. He and his team see patients at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital and at Palm Beach and Martin county locations. For more information, call (877) 463-2010.
