Isaac Klapper’s journey with epilepsy, marked by frequent seizures and misdiagnoses, took a transformative turn when he opted for brain surgery. This life-altering decision gave him hope for a seizure-free future and marked the beginning of a new chapter.
A Challenging Diagnosis
At just 10 years old, Isaac began experiencing daily episodes characterized by head twitching and unusual eye movements. Initially misdiagnosed with a movement disorder, he managed his symptoms with medication for five years. However, the episodes returned during his sophomore year of high school, disrupting his education, social life, and sense of normalcy.
Isaac’s condition made him miss key milestones like driving and attending social events. “It was devastating,” he recalled. “I avoided going out, fearing an episode could happen anytime.”
Desperate for answers, his parents, Karen and Mark Klapper, sought help from various specialists. A neurologist in Toledo prescribed multiple medications, but none worked. Finally, at the Cleveland Clinic, Isaac received an accurate diagnosis: epilepsy.
A New Approach
Dr. William Bingaman, a neurosurgeon at Cleveland Clinic, proposed brain surgery to address Isaac’s focal seizures. Unlike generalized seizures, focal seizures originate from a specific part of the brain, causing symptoms like twitching, sensory changes, or mood shifts.
Extensive brain scans revealed a grape-sized abnormality in Isaac’s left cingulate gyrus, a critical area involved in emotions, behavior, and motor functions. Dr. Bingaman explained the abnormality could be either cortical dysplasia—an issue stemming from unusual brain cell development—or a tumor. The only way to confirm the cause was to remove it.
Isaac readily agreed. “It was a relief to decide without hesitation,” he said. “I couldn’t live like that anymore.”
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The Surgery
On March 8, 2024, Isaac underwent a five-hour operation to remove the abnormality. While the wait was nerve-wracking for his family, the results were promising. Pathologists determined the abnormality was cortical dysplasia, not a tumor. With the affected tissue removed, Isaac had a high likelihood of remaining seizure-free.
A New Beginning
Since the surgery, Isaac hasn’t experienced any seizures. Follow-up scans confirmed the complete removal of the abnormality. For the first time in years, he could focus on his future. “It feels incredible knowing I don’t have to worry about this anymore,” he said. “I can finally start my life.”
The Need for Awareness
Despite its success, epilepsy surgery remains underutilized. While about 40% of epilepsy patients are candidates for surgery, only a fraction undergo the procedure. Barriers include misdiagnoses, difficulty identifying seizure origins, and the costs and logistics of surgery.
Experts like Dr. Bingaman emphasize the need for greater awareness. “There are a million people eligible for epilepsy surgery right now, yet only a few thousand procedures are performed annually,” he noted.
Isaac’s story highlights the importance of accurate diagnoses and exploring all treatment options. For him, surgery wasn’t just a medical procedure—it was a second chance at life.
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