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Hough Family Institute for Brain Protection Sciences

Pediatric Neurology

Epilepsy and Seizure Management

Families with children who have difficult-to-treat epilepsy or hard-to-control seizures can turn to our neurologists who specialize in the treatment of epilepsy, a field known as epileptology. In most children, medication can effectively control seizures, but some children and teens with epilepsy experience unacceptable side effects from medication or have seizures that are resistant to medication (intractable seizures). Our pediatric epilepsy program specializes in caring for these patients.

Our pediatric epilepsy and seizure management services include:

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  • Evaluation and management of antiepileptic medications
  • Routine and ambulatory EEGs
  • Inpatient seizure monitoring unit with video electroencephalogram (EEG)
  • MRI & functional MRI
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) & local availability of single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scans, Wada testing
  • Ketogenic diet and nutritional counseling
  • Genetic and metabolic testing
  • Vagal nerve stimulation
  • Epilepsy surgery performed by our experienced pediatric neurosurgeons 

Epileptology Appointments

  • Before we schedule your child's appointment, we will ask you to help us obtain your previous evaluations. We need not only the written records, but the actual MRIs of the brain and the EEG studies (usually on disks).

  • Our evaluation includes an initial appointment where neurologists and epileptologists will examine your child and go over his or her history. He will then personally review the MRI of the brain and EEGs provided and decide if further evaluation is necessary. Further evaluation may include studies such as video EEG monitoring in our neuromonitoring unit, repeating the MRI of the brain using specialized epilepsy protocols, PET or SPECT scans, or genetic and metabolic testing.

  • Generally, further testing can be performed at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.

  • If the evaluation shows that one of these advanced epilepsy therapies would be helpful, these can also be performed at our hospital.

Contact Us

For more information or to make an appointment, give us a call at the phone number below. We serve families in the greater Tampa Bay area and beyond.

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Read inspiring stories about our patients and families

Ethan Battles Lifelong Epilepsy with New Technology

Matthew D. Smyth, M.D., chief of the pediatric neurosurgery division in the Hough Family Institute for Brain Protection Sciences, explains what epilepsy is and the newer, cutting edge technology treatment options for patients like 19-year-old Ethan, who has battled seizures the majority of his life.
Patient Ethan working with the rehab team at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

Epilepsy: Jayce’s Story

When 6-month-old Jayce began to have seizures, his family turned to the experts in Johns Hopkins All Children’s Level IV Epilepsy Center, which provides care for even the most challenging cases.
Patient Ethan running around outside in a park