Question 1

What is a Deep Brain Stimulation therapy?

Accepted Answer

Deep brain stimulation or DBS therapy is a treatment approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for certain conditions of the brain and nervous system. It involves the placement of a pacemaker-like device (stimulator) and electrodes in the brain during an operation. This therapy has been used for people suffering from tremors due to conditions such as Parkinson\'s disease, dystonia and some other conditions. DBS is recommended after careful assessment by the doctor to determine if the patient is the right candidate. The includes evaluation with several tests, and a suitable treatment plan is indicated.
During the operation, the surgeon places the electrodes in the area of the brain that causes the seizures and neurological symptoms of the medical condition. The electrodes release electrical signals, which help regulate abnormal impulses in the brain or affect certain cells and cause chemical changes in the brain. The surgeon places the pacemaker device in the patient&rsquo;s chest. It sends electrical signals or impulses to block the messages that cause tremors or other symptoms.
It is important to remember that this therapy is not a cure, but DBS has shown effective results and proved as a safe method for the management of neurological symptoms of certain medical conditions.

Question 2

Which conditions can be treated by DBS?

Accepted Answer

Deep brain stimulation therapy has been FDA approved for some neurological and movement disorders. This includes:

Parkinson\'s disease
Dystonia
Epilepsy
Essential tremor
Certain psychiatric conditions, such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

The experts in the field of brain surgery and management of neurological conditions first conduct a series of tests to determine the best treatment plan for each patient. The potential application of DBS has been tested for other conditions, including:

Huntington\'s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Stroke recovery
Tourette syndrome
Traumatic brain injury
Addiction, Chronic pain, Cluster headache, Dementia, (major) Depression

Question 3

Who might be a candidate for the DBS treatment?

Accepted Answer

Deep Brain Stimulation surgery in Egypt is performed by trained and skilled neurosurgeons. They generally recommended this therapy for patients with certain neurological and movement disorders. An ideal candidate has:

Symptoms that can not be managed using other methods of treatment, despite using an appropriate dose of medications.
The medical condition has been significantly impacting the patient&rsquo;s quality of life.
Side effects of medications being used for treatment cannot be tolerated by the patient.

Question 4

What happens during the DBS surgery?

Accepted Answer

The surgery is performed under the effects of general anesthesia. It involves the placement of the electrodes in the brain and the pacemaker in the chest. Before this, the patient&rsquo;s head is placed and fitted into a special head frame, called a stereotactic head frame. This is to prevent it from moving during the procedure. The images from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to map the brain and locate the problem areas where the electrodes will be placed.
The patient remains unconscious during the surgery due to general anesthesia. Sometimes, the doctor may use local anesthesia to numb the scalp before the procedure and the patient remains awake during surgery. However, an anesthetic is not required for the brain as it has no pain receptors. After this, the surgeon inserts a thin wire lead with electrodes into the targeted area of the brain. This lead is connected to a pulse generator called a neurostimulator.
The second part of the surgery involves the placement of the pulse generator under the skin of the chest, typically near the collarbone. This is done under general anesthesia. The wires connected to the electrodes in the brain are placed under the skin, and they are attached to the battery-operated pulse generator.

Question 5

What happens after the DBS surgery?

Accepted Answer

After the surgery, the patient usually stays in the hospital for the next 1 to 2 days for proper healing. The doctor provides all the instructions for home care once the patient is discharged to go home. Most patients feel normal with their baseline energy level within 2 weeks following the surgery. The medical team schedules the appointment for the removal of the sutures after one week. DBS programming is also done on the same day. During the recovery, the patient is advised to avoid all strenuous activity during the first month following the operation.

Question 6

Can I have an MRI if I have a DBS device in the body?

Accepted Answer

Nowadays, MR Conditional DBS systems are available, which means these devices cause no problem while undergoing MRI scans, only under certain conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can cause heating of the leads in the brain, which can then lead to serious and permanent injury or even death. So, a person with DBS must always inform the MRI team about their device. Alternatively, DBS can be turned off for some patients during the MRI scan and turned on again after the test.
The medical center is supposed to take all the precautions for the device and all the details should be considered before the scan. It is also advisable to consult the neurologist who implanted the device in case there is a need for an MRI.

India	Starting from $22000
UK	Starting from $35000
US	Starting from $40000

Best Deep Brain Stimulation Hospitals and Cost in Egypt

Choose from 13 best Deep Brain Stimulation hospitals in Egypt

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Arab Contractors Medical Centre

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