TY - JOUR
T1 - The Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Interest Group (PESIG) under the auspice of the ISPN Research Committee
T2 - Availability of relevant technology and geographical distribution
AU - Roth, Jonathan
AU - Weiner, Howard L.
AU - Chandra, P. Sarat
AU - Machado, Hélio Rubens
AU - Blount, Jeffrey P.
AU - Dorfmüller, Georg
AU - Dorfer, Christian
AU - Panigrahi, Manas
AU - Uliel-Sibony, Shimrit
AU - Constantini, Shlomi
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2023.
PY - 2024/4
Y1 - 2024/4
N2 - Purpose: Epilepsy surgery for pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy has been shown to improve seizure control, enhance patient and family QoL, and reduce mortality. However, diagnostic tools and surgical capacity are less accessible worldwide. The International Society Pediatric Neurosurgery (ISPN) has established a Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Interest Group (PESIG), aiming to enhance global collaboration in research and educational aspects. The goals of this manuscript are to introduce PESIG and analyze geographical differences of epilepsy surgery and technology availability. Methods: PESIG was established (2022) following an ISPN executive board decision. Using a standardized form, we surveyed the PESIG members, collecting and analyzing data regarding geographical distribution, and availability of various epilepsy treatment-related technologies. Results: Two hundred eighty-two members registered in PESIG from 70 countries, over 6 continents, were included. We categorized the countries by GDP as follows: low, lower-medium, upper-medium, and high income. The most commonly available technology was vagus nerve stimulation 68%. Stereoelectroencephalography was available for 58%. North America had statistically significant greater availability compared to other continents. Europe had greater availability compared to Africa, Asia, and South (Latin) America. Asia had greater availability compared to Africa. High-income countries had statistically significant greater availability compared to other income groups; there was no significant difference between the other income-level subgroups. Conclusion: There is a clear discrepancy between countries and continents regarding access to epilepsy surgery technologies. This strengthens the need for collaboration between neurologists and neurosurgeons from around the world, to enhance medical education and training, as well as to increase technological availability.
AB - Purpose: Epilepsy surgery for pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy has been shown to improve seizure control, enhance patient and family QoL, and reduce mortality. However, diagnostic tools and surgical capacity are less accessible worldwide. The International Society Pediatric Neurosurgery (ISPN) has established a Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Interest Group (PESIG), aiming to enhance global collaboration in research and educational aspects. The goals of this manuscript are to introduce PESIG and analyze geographical differences of epilepsy surgery and technology availability. Methods: PESIG was established (2022) following an ISPN executive board decision. Using a standardized form, we surveyed the PESIG members, collecting and analyzing data regarding geographical distribution, and availability of various epilepsy treatment-related technologies. Results: Two hundred eighty-two members registered in PESIG from 70 countries, over 6 continents, were included. We categorized the countries by GDP as follows: low, lower-medium, upper-medium, and high income. The most commonly available technology was vagus nerve stimulation 68%. Stereoelectroencephalography was available for 58%. North America had statistically significant greater availability compared to other continents. Europe had greater availability compared to Africa, Asia, and South (Latin) America. Asia had greater availability compared to Africa. High-income countries had statistically significant greater availability compared to other income groups; there was no significant difference between the other income-level subgroups. Conclusion: There is a clear discrepancy between countries and continents regarding access to epilepsy surgery technologies. This strengthens the need for collaboration between neurologists and neurosurgeons from around the world, to enhance medical education and training, as well as to increase technological availability.
KW - Collaboration
KW - Education
KW - Global
KW - Research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85178048307&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00381-023-06236-0
DO - 10.1007/s00381-023-06236-0
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C2 - 38032484
AN - SCOPUS:85178048307
SN - 0256-7040
VL - 40
SP - 1239
EP - 1244
JO - Child's Nervous System
JF - Child's Nervous System
IS - 4
ER -
