Dubai, UAE — In a significant medical breakthrough, three-year-old Nurlan Aman from Kazakhstan, who has been suffering from severe and recurrent seizures due to drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), has received groundbreaking treatment at American Hospital Dubai. This innovative approach could offer hope to many patients facing similar challenges.
Nurlan, who had endured numerous treatments with no success, was initially placed on nine different medications, all of which failed to manage his condition effectively. Despite extensive investigations, including MRI scans and whole genome sequencing, the cause of his DRE remained elusive.
Upon approaching Dr. Ubaid Shah, a renowned consultant pediatric neurologist and epileptologist at American Hospital Dubai, Nurlan’s case was thoroughly evaluated. Dr. Shah emphasizes the critical importance of accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment for pediatric epilepsy cases.
“For pediatric patients with uncontrolled epilepsy, there can be lifelong effects on their development. Hence, prompt diagnosis and tailored treatment are essential,” Dr. Shah stated.
“About 30% of patients with epilepsy in children have drug-resistant epilepsy. These patients need to be seen by an epileptologist, a neurologist with expertise and training in epilepsy.”
Epilepsy in children can often be managed effectively with medication, but for those with drug-resistant forms, like Nurlan, alternative approaches are necessary.
Comprehensive evaluation, including assessing the type of epilepsy, its underlying cause, and prognosis, is crucial. Many childhood epilepsies resolve over time, but understanding the specific epilepsy syndrome is vital for determining the right treatment path.
Given that Nurlan’s seizures persisted despite a ketogenic diet, a common treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy, Dr. Shah recommended Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS).
This innovative therapy involves implanting a small device that delivers electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve, which is believed to help regulate seizure activity.
VNS therapy operates by sending electrical signals through the vagus nerve, which affects brain cell activity associated with seizures.
The device is programmed to deliver these impulses at specific frequencies and intervals, starting at a low level and adjusting based on the patient’s needs. Studies have shown that VNS can significantly reduce seizure frequency and improve quality of life for those with DRE.
Dr. Shah highlights the importance of proper candidate selection for VNS, a principle strongly upheld at American Hospital Dubai.
“Fortunately, many pediatric epilepsies can be treated successfully with one or two medications. It is important to correctly diagnose epileptic patients, as misdiagnosis is very common, especially in this region. Identifying the underlying cause of epilepsy determines the ideal treatment,” Dr. Shah explained.
For patients with focal epilepsy, surgical options might be considered, potentially curing the condition without ongoing medication. However, for those not suitable for surgery, novel treatments like VNS provide a valuable alternative.
American Hospital Dubai is equipped with a state-of-the-art Epilepsy Monitoring Unit and advanced imaging technologies, including MRI, PET Scan, and SPECT scans, to localize the origin of seizures and assess candidacy for epilepsy surgery.
The hospital also offers genetic testing to identify gene defects responsible for epilepsy, aiding in the development of precision therapies.
Following the successful implantation of the VNS device, Dr. Shah is optimistic about Nurlan’s prognosis. “We expect Nurlan will experience better seizure control as we fine-tune the device’s settings. This should allow us to reduce his medications and improve his overall quality of life.”
Nurlan’s mother expresses profound gratitude for the care provided by American Hospital Dubai. “My son, Nurlan-Aman, was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 1.6 years. For two years, we tried various medications without success. His form of epilepsy proved to be drug-resistant, and even a ketogenic diet did not stop his seizures.”
She continued, “Dr. Ubaid Shah at American Hospital Dubai recommended Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) therapy. We trusted his expertise and agreed to the procedure. Dr. Babak Homapour, the consultant neurosurgeon, was very patient and detailed in explaining every aspect of the surgery, which made us feel secure. The surgery was successful, and after a brief stay in the ICU, we returned to Kazakhstan.”
Nurlan’s mother is hopeful that the VNS therapy will reduce his seizures and support his development.
“We are currently adjusting the device settings and are hopeful that VNS will decrease the number of seizures and that our son will soon start speaking and catching up with his peers. We are deeply thankful to American Hospital Dubai for their exceptional support and precise diagnosis that enabled us to receive the right treatment.”
American Hospital Dubai’s dedication to innovative treatments and personalized care exemplifies the cutting-edge approaches in managing complex medical conditions.
The successful treatment of Nurlan Aman is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to improving the lives of its patients and offering hope where traditional treatments have failed.