Understanding the EPILEPSY SURGERY Journey - Dr. Ricardo Morcos

What really happens before epilepsy surgery? Around 20-30% of people with an epilepsy don’t respond well to anti-seizure medications - so what comes next? Dr. Ricardo Morcos (UCLH) joins host Torie to explain the entire epilepsy surgery journey: from advanced MRI and video telemetry to the MDT (multidisciplinary team) meeting and the unique “tube map”(!) that makes this complex process clearer for patients and clinicians alike. We also discuss fears, myths, and life after surgery - including seizure freedom, medication reduction, and improved quality of life. Whether you’re a person with epilepsy, a caregiver, or a healthcare professional, this episode helps you feel informed, empowered, and ready to ask questions!

📖 Chapters
00:00 Trailer and intro
01:08 Why Talk About the Epilepsy Surgery Pathway?
02:37 What the Pathway Means for People with an Epilepsy
03:04 Ricardo Tube Map - Making Sense of a Complex Journey!
03:49 Why Epilepsy Surgery Is Still Rarely Discussed
05:19 The First Step - The Epilepsy Clinic Appointment
05:46 Advanced MRI & Why Expert Review Matters
06:49 Video Telemetry (VT) - Capturing Seizures Safely
07:30 Neuropsychology, Psychiatry & Assessing the Whole Person
08:48 The Big Station - MDT (Multidisciplinary Team) Explained
09:20 How the MDT Finds the Epileptogenic Zone
11:06 Balancing Seizure Control, Memory, Language & Mood
12:52 PET & SPECT Scans - Seeing the Brain in Action
14:52 Balancing Risks, Benefits & Shared Decisions
16:31 Intracranial EEG - Recording from Inside the Brain
18:03 Pain, Safety, Bleeding Risk & Precision Planning
19:15 What to Expect After Surgery - Realistic Outcomes
19:48 Seizure Freedom, Medication Reduction & Quality of Life
22:44 Empowering Clinicians & Patients to Ask About Surgery
23:53 Working Together for the Epilepsies
24:23 Final Thoughts

🔗 More about episode (inc. “tube map” and description) 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epileps...
🌐 More about Ricardo 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epileps...
👕 Join the Epilepsy Sparks community with our merch 👇🏻
https://epilepsy-sparks.creator-sprin...
🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epileps...
🎧 Listen to the Epilepsy Sparks Insights podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favourite provider!

Ricardo’s other episodes:
🎞️ Cenobamate: Benefits & Risks. 25 Jul 2024    • Cenobamate: Benefits & Risks - Ricardo Morcos  
🎞️ Cenobamate: A Game Changer For Epilepsy? 18 Jul 2024    • Cenobamate: A Game Changer For Epilepsy? -...  

🔤 Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary

📲 Join us on social media!
LinkedIn   / epilepsy-sparks  
Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/epilepsyspar...
Instagram   / epilepsysparks  
Facebook   / epilepsysparks  
TikTok   / epilepsysparks