Growing Up Without Seizures Thanks to advanced imaging technology, physicians pinpointed the location of Molly’s seizures in her brain, setting the stage for surgery. Now, she’s free of seizures. Now that Molly Davison’s seizures have ended, she is a focused, energetic 4-year-old. Her parents are more relaxed, no longer worrying that she will fall and hurt herself during a seizure. Judy and Troy Davison took Molly to Children’s – St. Paul when she had her first seizures at age 19 months. In the pediatric epilepsy unit, they learned the reason. Tuberous sclerosis, a rare genetic disease, created 10 benign tumors in Molly’s brain, which sparked her seizures. The seizures became more frequent, even with medication. By summer 2007, Molly’s physician specialist, Michael Frost, MD, had her undergo a diagnostic test using new technology called magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG is only available at a dozen hospitals in the U.S.; Children’s offers it as part of its nationally renowned pediatric epilepsy program for children with hard-to-control seizures. Aided by this next-generation technology that showed normal and abnormal functions in Molly’s brain, Frost recommended surgery.
Michael Frost, MD, says magnetoencephalography (MEG) “was instrumental in the planning prior to Molly’s surgery.” The noninvasive technology uses super-cooled electrode sensors to scan a child’s brain. MEG is not widely available; Children’s is the only place for kids in the Upper Midwest to offer it. “When it comes to treating epilepsy, MEG is as advanced as it gets,” explains Frost, medical director of Children’s pediatric epilepsy program.
In February 2008, Molly underwent surgery at Children’s to implant a grid over a portion of her brain. Extensive testing to map Molly’s brain functions followed in Children’s epilepsy unit. These specialized tests pinpointed the seizure-causing area of her brain that could be removed without impairing her functioning. A second surgery followed, and Molly returned home only four days later. “We couldn’t have asked for better results!” Judy says. “Molly had one seizure two weeks after surgery. Since then, she hasn’t had any. She has lots more energy and seems clearer.” This summer, Molly will take swimming lessons. When she had seizures, her parents felt that was too risky. “Deciding on surgery was difficult, but we wanted to give Molly the best chance we could,” Troy explains. “We’re fortunate to have access to such specialized care at Children’s.”
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