Has hemispherectomy authorized to be an effective treatment in adults with chronic seizures?

Hemispherectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal or disconnection of one hemisphere of the brain. It is typically used as a treatment option for severe and medically refractory epilepsy, particularly in children. However, it can also be considered in select cases for adults with chronic seizures that do not respond to other treatments.

While hemispherectomy has been shown to be an effective treatment for some cases of epilepsy in children, there is limited data on its effectiveness in adults. The procedure is generally considered to be more risky and complex in adults, and the potential for cognitive and functional deficits is higher.

That being said, there have been some case reports and small studies suggesting that hemispherectomy can be a viable option for certain adult patients with intractable seizures. However, the decision to pursue hemispherectomy as a treatment option should be carefully evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a team of neurologists, epileptologists, and neurosurgeons. The risks and benefits of the procedure should be carefully weighed, and patients should be informed of the potential cognitive and functional changes that may occur following the surgery.