For many patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, the journey from first symptoms to effective treatment is long and frustrating. Patients may endure years of failed medication regimens before they are finally seen by an epilepsy specialist. By the time they reach a comprehensive epilepsy center, their condition may have worsened, and opportunities for optimal intervention may have passed.₁

Systemic Barriers in the Referral Process

At the heart of this issue is the disjointed nature of the referral process. General neurologists and primary care providers often hesitate to refer patients without a clear indication of surgical candidacy, relying instead on extended trials of medication adjustments.₂ Even when referrals are made, the overwhelming demand at specialty centers results in long waitlists, leaving patients stuck in limbo. Furthermore, traditional diagnostic tools may yield ambiguous results, prompting additional tests and further extending the timeline.

How SEEG is Changing the Landscape

SEEG technology offers a transformative advantage by delivering precise, intracranial data early in the patient journey. Unlike non-invasive methods that often struggle to localize seizure origins, SEEG provides reliable, comprehensive insights. This enables epilepsy specialists to identify surgical candidates sooner—even in complex cases like MRI-negative or multifocal epilepsy.₃

By enabling three-dimensional mapping of seizure activity deep within the brain, SEEG offers unmatched precision in localizing epileptogenic zones—particularly when surface EEGs fall short. This level of detail is only possible when electrodes are accurately placed, underscoring the importance of expert planning and execution. When done correctly, SEEG is instrumental in identifying candidates for surgical intervention or neuromodulation therapies.

Streamlining the Journey Toward Care

The pathway to effective epilepsy treatment has long been characterized by complexity, fragmentation, and delay. SEEG is helping to change that by streamlining the referral and diagnostic process—bringing clarity and momentum to a journey that often stalls in uncertainty.

SEEG supports a more efficient healthcare ecosystem.₄ Patients benefit from earlier intervention, reduced seizure burden, and improved long-term outcomes. For many, this means fewer hospital visits, less time spent trialing ineffective medications, and a faster route to life-changing therapies such as resective surgery or neuromodulation.

At the same time, clinicians gain confidence in their diagnostic tools and can allocate resources more effectively. With SEEG’s high-resolution insights into seizure onset zones, diagnostic confidence increases, enabling more targeted and timely treatment decisions. This precision allows for better resource allocation—reducing the need for prolonged monitoring and repeated imaging, and optimizing the use of surgical and therapeutic interventions.

Moreover, SEEG facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration. Epileptologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, and neuropsychologists can work from a shared, detailed map of brain activity, enhancing communication and coordination across the care team.

Ultimately, SEEG is transforming the epilepsy referral journey from a slow, reactive process into a streamlined, proactive pathway. It empowers clinicians to act decisively and enables patients to access effective care sooner—turning what was once a prolonged struggle into a more hopeful and efficient experience.

Sources:

1. Kwan, P., Arzimanoglou, A., Berg, A. T., Brodie, M. J., Allen Hauser, W., Mathern, G., … & French, J. (2010). Definition of drug resistant epilepsy: consensus proposal by the ad hoc Task Force of the ILAE Commission on Therapeutic Strategies. Epilepsia, 51(6), 1069-1077.
2. Bourdillon, P., Rheims, S., Catenoix, H., Montavont, A., Ostrowsky-Coste, K., Isnard, J., … & Ryvlin, P. (2017). Surgical treatment for epilepsy: the potential gap between evidence and practice. The Lancet Neurology, 16(1), 66-81.
3. Gonzalez-Martinez, J., Mullin, J., Vadera, S., Bulacio, J., Hughes, G., Jones, S., … & Najm, I. (2014). Stereoelectroencephalography in children and adolescents with difficult-to-localize refractory epilepsy. Neurosurgery, 75(3), 258-268.
4. Ryvlin, P., Cross, J. H., Rheims, S. (2014). Epilepsy surgery in children and adults. The Lancet Neurology, 13(11), 1114-1126.

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