Electrode grids are available for the selection of patients with refractory epilepsy for epilepsy surgery

In 60-85% of patients with refractory epilepsy, surgical excision of that part of the brain that is considered to be responsible for the development of epileptic seizures leads to the disappearance of the attacks. In the Netherlands, 60-70 patients undergo epilepsy surgery every year; this is a small number in comparison to the number of potential candidates. Patients with medically refractory epilepsy without structural damage on the MRI or with a lesion in or near specialised areas of the cortex could also be examined and then treated surgically. It is important that such patients be referred earlier for possible surgical treatment of their epilepsy