Overview

The 19th International Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Symposia will focus on the invasive evaluation of focal epilepsies and a comprehensive update on epilepsy diagnosis and management options. The indications for various invasive methods (subdural grids versus depth electrodes versus intraoperative electrocorticography) will be discussed in light of acquired experiences and data/outcome analyses from leading international epilepsy centers.

In addition, there will be in-depth discussions of the major concepts that define epileptogenicity and epileptogenesis. The significance of interictal and ictal epileptic patterns will be highlighted. The role of various EEG, imaging and other non-invasive modalities will also be discussed. Pertinent nursing, socio-economic and psychological/psychiatric issues in patients undergoing invasive evaluation will be outlined.

Target Audience

The symposia are designed for adult and pediatric neurologists and epileptologists, neurosurgeons with an interest in epilepsy surgery in adults and children, psychiatrists, clinical neuropsychologists, social workers and other expert caretakers of patients across all age groups with epilepsy.
 

Objectives

• Explain the role of EEG in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy
• Discuss the medical management of patients with epilepsy
• Review the surgical management of patients with epilepsy
• Recognize the molecular and genetic mechanisms of epilepsy
• Recognize and manage the psychiatric comorbidities in patients with epilepsy
• Discuss the fundamental concepts of epileptogenicity and epileptogenesis
• Discuss the role of non-invasive methods in the design of a surgical strategy for invasive electrode implantation and monitoring
• Review the indications, techniques and complications of different methods of invasive monitoring in patients with medically intractable focal epilepsies
• Discuss lessons learned from surgical successes and failures in invasive monitoring

Dudley Dinner, MD (1947-2007) Dudley Dinner, MD (1947-2007) came to the Cleveland Clinic in 1979 as the first fellow in clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy and then joined the Epilepsy Section as staff neurologist and epileptologist. He played a leading role in establishing the epilepsy surgery program, evoked potentials and intraoperative monitoring. Dr. Dinner made many valuable contributions to understanding the usefulness of the intra-carotid amytal (WADA) test and the functional anatomy of the supplementary motor area cortex.He established and directed the sleep disorders center. Dr. Dinner published numerous scientific papers, invited reviews, editorials and chapters and also edited the book Sleep and Epilepsy. His vast knowledge and experience was a source of strength for both the epilepsy surgery and sleep programs at the Cleveland Clinic. He was very active in the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society and was Associate Editor of the Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology. His wisdom and kind, gentle spirit provided guidance and encouragement to patients, colleagues, epilepsy fellows and neurology residents.