Israeli specialists in combating congenital anomalies of the nervous system are well known worldwide. Since lissencephaly is associated with a whole complex of neurological disorders, a large team of doctors is involved in the treatment of patients. The diagnosis takes only a few days.
At Top Ihilov, modern methods of both conservative and surgical nature are used for the therapy of lissencephaly. Epileptic seizures are prevented here with the latest anticonvulsants, and for the treatment of hydrocephalus, brain shunting and endoscopic interventions are performed. Depending on the individual clinical picture, the patient may undergo procedures aimed at correcting impaired functions of the respiratory, excretory, and cardiovascular systems, as well as the musculoskeletal system.
Treatment Methods for Lissencephaly in Israel
Lissencephaly is a rare complex disorder of brain function caused by anomalies in neurogenesis in the fetus between the 21st and 24th weeks of pregnancy. Most neurons cannot reach the outer part of the cerebral cortex and remain under the cortical plate. As a result of abnormal development, the newborn's brain is almost completely devoid of gyri and has a smooth surface. Children with this pathology usually significantly lag in development, but everything is determined individually in each specific case.
Today, more than 20 different types of lissencephaly have been classified, which differ in clinical manifestations and gene mutation characteristics. Treatment methods for lissencephaly in Israel focus on managing symptomatic manifestations, which include seizures, respiratory function disorders, spasticity, swallowing difficulties, and others.
In a typical case, the patient receives comprehensive treatment. The team of doctors may include neurologists and pediatricians, neonatologists and geneticists, and other specialists.
About 90% of children with lissencephaly suffer from epileptic seizures. To prevent them, patients receive medications from the anticonvulsant group. Today, many effective agents have been developed — these include some tranquilizers and synthetic analogs of GABA, derivatives of succinic acid, and others. Particularly promising are anticonvulsants from the GABA analog group — gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter involved in many processes occurring in the nervous system. Modern GABA analogs can not only prevent epileptic seizures but also stabilize the patient's mood, relieve spasticity, reduce anxiety, and combat depression.
Sometimes, patients with lissencephaly are diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Various types of shunting may be performed for its treatment — creating artificial pathways for draining excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain ventricles into the abdominal or thoracic cavity. Endoscopic procedures such as ventriculocisternostomy, aqueductoplasty, and others are also widely used.
If there are swallowing problems, the patient may undergo gastrostomy — the installation of a system that allows food to be introduced into the stomach, bypassing the esophagus. Clinic specialists are skilled in several techniques for performing gastrostomy, including percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, where instead of an abdominal wall incision, a puncture is made, and all necessary microsurgical instruments are introduced through it.
To prevent muscular dystrophy, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise may be prescribed.
Additionally, depending on the individual clinical picture, the patient may undergo treatment aimed at managing negative manifestations from the cardiovascular, urinary, respiratory systems, etc.
Diagnosis of Lissencephaly in Israel
The diagnosis of lissencephaly in Israel takes no more than three to four days and is conducted using modern, highly accurate equipment.
First Day — Consultation
Together with a curator-translator, the patient and accompanying persons go to the clinic for a consultation with a leading specialist.
Second Day — Investigations
Next, diagnostic procedures are carried out.
Ultrasound of the brain.- CT or MRI of the brain.
- Genetic tests for mutations of certain genes.
- Electroencephalography — a study of the brain's electrical activity.
- Parents of a child diagnosed with "lissencephaly" may undergo genetic counseling if they plan to have more children.
Third Day — Council
The program of investigations concludes with a council involving several specialized experts from different fields — geneticists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, etc. Together, they determine the type of lissencephaly and plan a series of treatment measures.
Treatment of Lissencephaly in Israel — Cost
Today, many prefer to undergo treatment for lissencephaly in Israel — the prices for medical procedures here are much more affordable than in clinics in the United States, Austria, Sweden, or France. A great testament to how affordable lissencephaly treatment in Israel is — the reviews of such people. They emphasize not only the high quality of medical procedures but also their accessibility.
Advantages of Top Ihilov
- Comprehensive approach to treatment — experienced specialists from various fields participate in therapy, each with extensive clinical practice.
- Rapid diagnosis with the determination of the exact type of lissencephaly, including the use of state-of-the-art genetic techniques.
- A wide range of means for managing symptoms — the latest anticonvulsants, brain shunting operations, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise, etc.
- The patient and accompanying persons benefit from free assistance from a personal curator-translator. Comfortable conditions have been created for the stay of both the child and their parents in the hospital.