Standard depth invasive electrodes are typically used to precisely locate areas of the brain that are responsible for seizures in patients with medically refractory epilepsy, but a recent analysis suggests that hybrid depth microwire electrodes may be just as effective and just as safe.
- Investigators at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center reviewed 53 cases of refractory epilepsy who had surgery between 2006 and 2017.
- The analysis included 555 electrodes and revealed a complication rate of 2.3% per electrode and a per case rate of 20.8%; no infections or deaths were reported.
- The researchers did not uncover a difference in complication rates between standard and hybrid depth electrodes.
- Hybrid depth electrodes were as reliable as standard electrodes in pinpointing seizure onset zones.
Carlson AA, Rutishauser U, Mamelak AN. Safety and utility of hybrid depth electrodes for seizure localization and single-unit neuronal recording [published online ahead of print Oct 16, 2018]. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg.
