Two years after epilepsy surgery, 8-year-old is seizure-free and medication-free
By Kate Asche
(SACRAMENTO)
“Unstoppable.” That’s how UC Davis Health pediatric epileptologistTrishna Kantamnenidescribes her 8-year-old patient, Savon Maina. Kantamneni leads Savon’s team of specialists and directs pediatric epilepsy care in theComprehensive Epilepsy Program.
Kantamneni first met Savon several years ago. At that time, he frequently visited the emergency department with injuries from falls during seizures. Even though he took high doses of medication for his epilepsy, Savon experienced up to 10 seizures a day. He was stuttering and had nausea, vomiting and constipation.
“There were four different medicines, and they impacted him very negatively,” said Francis Kageche, Savon’s father. “He was aggressive to his brother. He would pinch, scratch, and in some cases, bite him.” Savon also experienced attention and speech difficulties.
Savon’s family and care team attributed these troubling effects to many factors, including medications, uncontrolled seizures and a prior brain injury. So, Kantamneni initiated Savon’s evaluation for epilepsy surgery. This surgery would offer him the chance of a seizure-free life without medications.
Evaluation included a stay of several days in the UC Davisepilepsy monitoring unit, or EMU, in the hospital. There, Savon’s seizures were monitored in real time and recorded for analysis.
Savon and pediatric epileptologist Trishna Kantamneni high-five during a clinic visit.
A team of pediatric epilepsy experts
“We review each case as a team and come to consensus about the best recommendation to provide,” Kantamneni said.
The team includes five pediatric epileptologists and colleagues from neurological surgery and neuropsychology. They recommended Savon undergo surgery with Julia Sharma, a pediatric neurosurgeon who specializes in epilepsy treatment.
Then came the next challenge: Slowly weaning Savon off his medications.
Savon with pediatric epileptologist Trishna Kantamneni and pediatric neurosurgeon Julia Sharma, chief of Pediatric Epilepsy.
“Typically, we wait for a few months after surgery to see how a person responds,” Kantamneni said. “If they are doing well and show no signs of seizures, then we begin to peel back one medicine at a time.”
With Kantamneni’s guidance and his family’s support, Savon dropped his medicines one by one over many months.
Today, Savon has been free of all medications for more than a year.
“Everything changed for Savon the moment the seizures went away,” Kantamneni said. “When the family comes to the clinic now, it’s just beautiful.”
Kageche said he and his family are very proud of Savon’s recovery. “His teachers have reported tremendous performance,” Kageche said. “His reading, speech and writing have improved. So has his mobility.”
Savon himself notices the difference and thanks his care team. “I get along with my brother now,” Savon said. “We go on vacation and field trips. Thank you for making me better and not sick anymore!"
