EPILEPSY
Located on the fifth floor at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, the epilepsy monitoring unit houses state-of-the-art digital equipment to monitor and assist with the diagnosis of complicated seizure cases.
Holy Cross Hospital and South Florida epilepsy expert Eduardo Locatelli, MD, MPH opened a four-bed epilepsy monitoring unit in January 2008, which houses the region´s most sophisticated diagnostic technology for epilepsy.
Here, Dr. Locatelli and the clinical staff are able to monitor and assist with the diagnosis of complicated seizure cases while patients stay in comfortable private rooms in a medically supervised environment.
Epilepsy, the most common chronic neurological disorder that can be cured for some people, is a condition that causes the brain to produce sudden bursts of electrical energy that disrupt other brain functions. These bursts may affect a person´s consciousness, bodily movements or sensations for one to three minutes and are referred to as seizures or episodes.
In the epilepsy monitoring unit, a patient is connected to an electroencephalograph (EEG) machine via dozens of tiny wires that are taped to the head. Here, Dr. Locatelli records continuous brain wave activity with simultaneous video recording. Brain waves during or between seizures may show special patterns, which help the doctor decide whether or not someone has epilepsy. Sometimes, a seizure can be induced if it is known what type of stimulus causes it, for example, music or loud noises.
Upon completion of the diagnostic process in the epilepsy monitoring unit, Dr. Locatelli can ascertain the presence of epilepsy 95 percent of the time. Once the correct diagnosis is made, Dr. Locatelli will determine the appropriate intervention, including medication management and surgery options. About 25 percent of those evaluated in the unit are potential candidates for surgery, which can be successful 65 to 90 percent of the time.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact Dr. Locatelli at 954-414-9750 or emu@floridaneuroscience.com.
Dr. Locatelli
Eduardo Locatelli, MD, MPH, holds triple boards in neurology, neurophysiology, and neuroimaging. He holds a master´s of public health in addition to his medical doctorate degree and has earned certification as a Six Sigma champion. He completed his internship, neurology residency, and fellowship at George Washington University. Additionally, he completed a fellowship at the prestigious National Institutes of Health. He is the co-author of Locatelli & Singh´s Handbook of Neurology and many scientific papers.
Technicians and office staff are specifically trained to work with patients who suffer from epilepsy and disorders that cause seizures. The team´s passion for science and compassion for the patient´s well-being are what makes the epilepsy monitoring unit at Holy Cross Hospital so special.
How common is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder in the United States.
If I have a seizure do I have epilepsy?
Between 100,000 and 120,000 South Floridians, or 1.8 percent of the population, experience seizures annually. This is double the national average. Forty to sixty percent of people with persistent seizures or spells do not have epilepsy.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a condition that causes the brain to produce sudden bursts of electrical energy that disrupt other brain functions. These bursts may affect a person´s consciousness, bodily movements, or sensations for one to three minutes.
What are symptoms of an epileptic seizure?
There may be more than 200 mild to severe symptoms that indicate an epileptic seizure, including brief panic attacks, a temporary lapse of memory or numbness, or language disturbance.
How do I determine if I have epilepsy?
The first step is to call us for a consultation. To schedule a consultation, please call 954-414-9750.
To schedule a consultation or refer a patient:
954-414-9750
www.floridaneuroscience.com
4725 North Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308
