Epilepsy Services
In 1990, the Epilepsy Clinic at Texas Tech Health El Paso was founded formally via funding received by the Texas Department of Health Services. It is housed at the Foster School of Medicine's Department of Neurology. The Epilepsy Clinic is the only site where uninsured patients may receive epilepsy services through this funding mechanism. Since 2011, the clinic's personnel also provide epilepsy outreach clinics in West Texas outreach clinics.
The Epilepsy Clinic benefits from a strong and stable affiliation with University Medical Center of El Paso, our county hospital facility. UMC is within walking distance from our clinic. Patients needing emergency or inpatient care may be directly admitted. Diagnostic lab work and any other diagnostic/evaluative procedures such as electroencephalograms (EEGs), computerized axial topographies (CT) scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) can be readily performed at the hospital facilities. UMC laboratory has an affiliation with the Mayo Clinic Medical and Athena Laboratories and enables Texas Tech Health El Paso to obtain the most sophisticated genetic chemical, DNA, and chromosomal analysis.
The clinic has maintained an uninterrupted epilepsy program and provides the opportunity to treat a range of epileptic cases for El Paso and the West Texas community.
Diagnostics evaluation and treatment
We offer outpatient and inpatient EEG services for the diagnoses of paroxysmal events (epileptic or non-epileptic), which can be used to guide treatment and make appropriate referrals.
Electroencephalograms (EEGs)
40 Minute to 1 Hour EEG with Activation Procedures like Photic Stimulation and Hyperventilation when appropriate.
Indications:
Evaluate for focal or epileptiform abnormalities.
For referrals please submit the following form:
1 to 2 Hour EEG with Activation Procedures. Greater likelihood of capturing sleep (some epileptiform abnormalities tend to appear with sleep)
Indications:
Evaluate for focal or epileptiform abnormalities and capture sleep.
For referrals please submit the following form:
24 to 48 Hour, Video Equipped EEG that patient takes home after being hooked up in the lab. Patients will be instructed to push a button when they have their typical events. After finishing the study, they return back the equipment along with a log of their events.
Indications:
- Evaluate for focal or epileptiform abnormalities and capture sleep.
- Capture typical patient events that are concerning for seizures in their normal home environment.
- Evaluate for subclinical seizures, response to anti-seizure medications, known epileptiform discharge burden.
For referrals please submit the following form:
We are affiliated with UMC with Level III certification by NAEC (National Association of Epilepsy Centers) to see complex epilepsy patients and perform epilepsy surgeries.
Admission to inpatient Epilepsy monitoring unit at University Medical Center and record continuous Video EEG under the direct supervision of Epilepsy specialist in a controlled environment. Anti-seizure medications will be weaned if necessary to capture a seizure.
Indications:
- Characterization of patient’s events to determine epileptic or non-epileptic for appropriate treatment.
- Evaluate for subclinical seizures and medical management at the same time.
- Surgical evaluation for medically refractory Epilepsy.
Following is a link about when to refer patient to EMU:
For referrals please submit the following form:
Vagal Nerve Stimulator Placement (VNS)
VNS Therapy® (also called vagus nerve stimulation) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an add-on therapy for adults and children 4 years and older. It is approved to treat focal or partial seizures that do not respond to seizure medications
- The therapy consists of a device that is implanted under the skin in the left chest area. An electrode or wire is attached to the generator device and placed under the skin. The wire is attached or wound around the vagus nerve in the neck.
- The device is programmed in the outpatient clinic to deliver pulses or stimulation at regular intervals. A person does not need to do anything for this device to work.
- A person with a VNS device is usually not aware of the stimulation while it is working.
- If a person is aware of when a seizure happens, they can swipe a magnet over the generator in the left chest area to send an extra burst of stimulation to the brain. For some people this may help stop seizures.
For more information, visit https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/devices/vagus-nerve-stimulation-vns
Epilepsy services provide comprehensive outpatient care to eligible persons who have epilepsy and/or seizure-like symptoms.
Servicios Comperensivos de epilepsia a personas eligible que tienen epilepsia/ or sintomas parecidos.
If you are uninsured and have epilepsy/seizures, you may qualify for our program that covers office visits
with your physician, EEG visits. Social services are also available.
Si usted no tiene seguro medico y tiene Epilepsia, ataques/convulsions podria calificar para nuestro programa que cubre visitas con el medico. Servicios Sociales tambien estan disponible.
Please Contact/Persona de contacto:
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Departamento de Neurologia Phone: |