Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG)

What is SEEG?

Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) is a diagnostic surgical procedure used to identify specific areas of seizure activity in the brain. It is a minimally invasive procedure in which neurosurgeons implant electrodes into the brain through small holes in the skull. Using the new Renishaw neuromate®, an image-guided neurosurgical robot, surgeons can perform SEEG more efficiently.The electrodes monitor seizure activity in targeted areas and allow neurosurgeons to determine the exact areas where seizures begin. After the procedure, surgery may be recommended to remove the affected tissue.

What are the benefits of SEEG?

SEEG offers many benefits:

• Allows surgeons to electrically monitor areas of the brain that are not possible to reach through other methods
• Lower risk of infection than traditional open procedures
• Typically less pain and less need for pain medication
• Shorter hospital stay

Who is eligible for SEEG?

SEEG may be a good option for patients who have focal epilepsy and are no longer responding to seizure medication. It is used specifically to determine the exact source of seizure activity in the brain relative to critical areas in patients with difficult to control seizures. This often leads to a second surgery to treat the defined area of the brain causing the seizures. Your pediatric neurosurgeon will determine whether SEEG is recommended for your child.