Winthrop-University Hospital, a leader in
the delivery of top quality neurosciences
care, recently celebrated the opening of a
dedicated, state-of-the-science Epilepsy
Monitoring Unit designed to evaluate,
diagnose and treat patients who experience
hard-to-treat epileptic seizures.
"Winthrop is pleased to offer this
major expansion of its program for
patients with seizure disorders and epilepsy,"
said Malcolm Gottesman, MD, Chief
of Neurology and Director of Winthrop's
Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Program.
"This highly specialized Unit is designed
to offer prolonged 24/7 monitoring in
order to identify the specific region of the
brain in which each patient's seizures originate
and provide appropriate treatment
to reduce or eliminate the episodes."
Working together with Shicong Ye,
MD, EEG Lab Director at Winthrop,
Alan Ettinger, MD, Director of the
Epilepsy Monitoring Program and a
nationally-renowned epilepsy specialist,
has spearheaded the development of
the new Epilepsy Monitoring Program
at Winthrop.
Winthrop's Epilepsy Monitoring
Unit is the latest addition to a comprehensive
range of diagnostic services for
seizure disorder patients. Services also
include positron emission tomography
(PET), magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) and neuroimaging studies
administered by a multidisciplinary
team of specialists at Winthrop.
Among the features of the new
Epilepsy Monitoring Unit is extended
video electro-encephalography (EEG)
monitoring, a highly effective diagnostic
tool used to pinpoint the region of the
brain where the patient's seizures originate
in order to establish an accurate
diagnosis of epilepsy or other form of
seizure disorder, which may require
different treatments.
Present at the ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of the opening
of Winthrop's dedicated Epilepsy Monitoring Unit were (l.-r.)
Donna Caccavale, RN, Director of Nursing, Critical Care; John F.
Collins, President & CEO of Winthrop; Steven Fishbane, MD,
Chief Medical Officer (back); Malcolm Gottesman, MD, Chief of
Neurology and Director of Winthrop's Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
Program; neurosurgeon Brian J. Snyder, MD; Alan Ettinger, MD,
Director of Winthrop's Epilepsy Monitoring Program; Garry J.
Schwall, MBA, RPA, Chief Operating Officer; Shicong Ye, MD,
EEG Lab Director; Maureen Gaffney, Senior Vice President, Patient
Care Services and Chief Medical Information Officer; Rafaelina
Martinez, Administrative Director for Winthrop's Department of
Surgery; Solomon A. Torres, LNHA, FACHE, Vice President,
Administration; and Janice McGuinness, RN, Nurse Manager,
Winthrop's Neurological Stepdown Unit.
During video EEG
monitoring, EEG electrodes
are placed on the
patient's scalp which are
then connected to a
small box that is worn
on the patient's hip.
The EEG activity is
continuously recorded
in conjunction with
around-the-clock video
surveillance. If a seizure
does not naturally
occur during the
monitoring process,
antiepileptic medication
may be reduced
or stopped in order to
safely induce a seizure
under the close supervision
of Winthrop's
trained medical staff.
"Following a comprehensive
assessment,
which considers the
severity of the patient's
seizure disorder and the affected area of
the brain, we present recommendations
for treatment which may represent medication
alteration or surgical therapy,"
said Dr. Ettinger.
With a variety of treatment options
available – from conservative medical
management to advanced surgical
approaches – Winthrop's multidisciplinary
neurosciences team is well equipped
to provide patients with the appropriate
course of treatment, tailored exclusively
to meet each patient's unique needs. For
those patients whose seizures do not
respond to medication management,
Winthrop neurosurgeons are adept at the
implantation of the vagal nerve stimulator
– a pacemaker-like device that often
prevents and controls seizure activity –
and deep brain stimulation, which delivers
electrical stimulation to targeted
regions deep within the brain that control
movement-related communication.
Winthrop's Institute for Neuro -
sciences treats all neurological conditions
including stroke, Parkinson's disease,
Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis,
movement disorders and various other
conditions. Patients receive comprehensive
care from an interdisciplinary team
which includes neurologists, neurosurgeons,
neuroradiologists, vascular
surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons and other
specialists from related fields as needed.
Specialized nursing care, physical and
occupational therapy, social work and
other supportive services are also key
components of the Institute.
For more information about neurosciences
care, call 1-866-WINTHROP.
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Vol. 21, No. 1
Winter/Spring 2011
Back to Publications
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