Riyadh, 3 July 2023: The Neuroscience Center of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) has implanted, for the first time in the Middle East, brain electrodes in an eleven-year-old child without the need for surgery. This groundbreaking non-invasive procedure, utilizing the cutting-edge stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) technique, was performed on a boy with drug-resistant epilepsy (known as intractable epilepsy). The goal was locating the epileptic foci in the brain, paving the way for their future removal. 

The advanced technique of stereoelectroencephalography utilizes minimally invasive procedures and involves creating tiny 2mm holes in the skull to implant electrical monitoring electrodes directly into the brain. These electrodes enable precise measurement and mapping of electrical activity, allowing specialists to identify the specific regions where epileptic seizures originate.

Dr. Ibrahim Althubaiti, a consultant at the Epilepsy Integrated Practice Unit at KFSH&RC, highlighted the distinct challenges of carrying out such a medical procedure on children instead of adults. Unlike adults who can easily comply with instructions, children's movement, Althubaiti explained, can be challenging to control for prolonged periods, posing a greater difficulty in executing the medical procedure. 'Nevertheless, the successful implementation of the SEEG technique allowed us to overcome this challenge,' he said. 

After placing the electrodes, the patient is closely monitored for several days to meticulously identify the origin of the seizure and determine the specific tissues that need to be removed or excised to eliminate epilepsy seizures effectively. This approach ultimately improves a patients' quality of life and that of their families.
Moreover, the modern technique stands out for its time efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and accelerated recovery. The medical procedure takes just 45 minutes, with no more than 48 hours of recovery. Notably, the cost is reduced by 60% compared to the previous procedures, which involved temporarily removing a substantial part of the skull to access the brain for electrode placement. This prior surgical procedure lasted for nine hours and carried the risks of pain, infections, and potential complications from anesthesia.

The KFSH&RC Neuroscience Center offers top-quality care for adult and pediatric patients suffering from complex and febrile epilepsy. The center boasts a team of highly skilled doctors and surgeons specializing in epilepsy care, utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and surgical interventions. The center has made a remarkable global achievement by successfully conducting a hemispherectomy on the world's youngest infant, only 14 days old, to treat severe and intractable epilepsy. Before the surgery, the child had experienced complete anesthesia and unconsciousness. However, thanks to the groundbreaking procedure, the child has fully recovered.

This accomplishment is a testament to KFSH&RC's ongoing commitment to harnessing all available resources and incorporating pioneering technologies to enhance patient outcomes, optimize operational efficiency, and establish itself as the preferred option for specialized healthcare services. Expanding its services to a broader range of beneficiaries aims to provide top-quality care and improve the overall patient experience.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center is one of the world's leading specialist healthcare providers, ranked 20th and first-best hospital in the Middle East and Africa in Brand Finance's list of '2023 World's Top 250 Hospitals'.