Epilepsy treatment at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)

The Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) in Tel Aviv, Israel, provides a complete epilepsy care pathway from initial assessment to advanced brain surgery. Diagnostics like blood panels may cost around $210, a consultation runs $850–950, and advanced procedures like vagus-nerve stimulation are around $36,943. The clinic's epilepsy program is led by Dr. Firas Fahum, a Forbes Israel-recognized neurologist with 30 years of experience.

Dr. Fahum has performed over 900 procedures. He is the Director of the Epilepsy & EEG Department and a former president of the Israel Epilepsy Association. His expertise includes cortical brain mapping and neuro-modulation techniques. The clinic itself is JCI-accredited and handles over 400,000 patients annually.

Diagnostic Evaluation

The clinic conducts thorough diagnostics to pinpoint the epilepsy type. This helps tailor the treatment plan. Available tests include:

• Neurologist/Epileptologist Consultation: A detailed assessment of seizure history.
• EEG Awake-to-Sleep: Monitors brain wave activity through different states.
• MRI Brain with Contrast: Provides high-resolution images to locate brain lesions.
• CT Scan: A quick imaging option for the head.
• Blood Tests: Checks antiepileptic drug levels and general health markers.
• Genetics Consultation: For identifying inherited forms of epilepsy.

Treatment Options

The center offers all modern epilepsy treatments. The choice depends on the patient's specific condition.

Medication Optimization is the first step. Doctors use advanced imaging to classify the epilepsy. About 70% of patients achieve seizure freedom with the right drug therapy.

For drug-resistant cases, surgical options are available:

• Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT/MRgLITT): This minimally invasive surgery uses an MRI-guided laser. The ROSA robotic system assists with sub-millimeter accuracy. It has a reported 75% success rate and typically requires a 2-day hospital stay.
• Vagus-Nerve Stimulation (VNS): A small device is implanted to send pulses to the brain via the vagus nerve. It serves as an adjunct therapy. Hospitalization is usually one day.
• Deep-Brain Stimulation (DBS): An adjustable neurostimulator is implanted. It helps control focal seizures.
• Awake Craniotomy: Surgeons remove the epileptic focus while the patient is awake. This mapping technique protects critical brain functions. The hospital stay is 3–5 days.

This JCI-accredited center combines leading medical expertise with a full spectrum of care. Patients can discuss these options to find a personalized treatment path.