By Kim Walter -- kwalter@nvdaily.com
The Virginia Comprehensive Epilepsy Program in Winchester was recently named a Level 4 Epilepsy Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, making it one of three in the state with the top designation.
The program is a collaboration of the Winchester Medical Center and two local practices, Winchester Neurological Consultants, Inc. and Virginia Brain and Spine Center, Inc. Being named a level 4 center means it provides intensive testing, monitoring and treatment options to patients of all ages.
Dr. Paul Lyons, a neurologist and epileptologist, and Dr. Lee Selznick, a neurosurgeon, work closely as a team with patients, from diagnosis to treatment and recovery.
"About one percent of the population is affected by epilepsy ... it's not a rare condition," Lyons said. It is the third most common neurological disorder in the United States, yet epilepsy is also among the least understood of major chronic medical conditions.
"The cornerstone of treatment for epilepsy is an accurate diagnosis," he said. To assure a patient is properly diagnosed, Winchester's program conducts rigorous testing and evaluations. Lyons said that once diagnosed, it still has to be determined what kind of medication is best for that particular patient.
While major breakthroughs have happened in epilepsy medication in the past few years, Lyons said that there are still about 16 types, and many of them come with side effects.
"Of those 2.2 million Americans with epilepsy, about 800,000 of them have monthly, weekly, daily seizures that can not be stopped with medication," he said. The program has been able to develop methods of treatment including hormonal, dietary and surgical.
Epilepsy surgery has proved most successful in helping patients live seizure free, Lyons added.
"Once a patient has failed two medications, their probability of being seizure free is five percent, but that's where Dr. Selznick and his team comes in," he said. "Surgery will give patients a 50 to 80-percent chance of being seizure free."
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Hospital's epilepsy program given top designation