RIYADH: The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Saudi Arabia has become one of the world’s most active epilepsy centres using a highly sophisticated Stereo-Electroencephalography (Stereo-EEG) procedure to treat epilepsy, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.
According to a KFSHRC press release, the Epilepsy Centre has treated more than 4,000 patients and performed over 2,000 epilepsy surgeries for individuals unresponsive to medication since 1993.
In the past two years, it has launched the Stereo-EEG programme as a minimally invasive, advanced diagnostic tool that improves seizure localization and reduces complications.
The technique marks a significant breakthrough in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, allowing for the precise identification of seizure foci and enabling personalised treatment approaches such as targeted resection or neurostimulation implants.
These interventions have restored independence and significantly improved the quality of life for many patients.
The procedure involves inserting ultra-thin electrodes through millimetre-sized openings in the skull to accurately locate the origin of seizures.
This minimally invasive approach reduces the risks associated with traditional open-brain surgery and supports treatment strategies that have helped the majority of patients achieve complete seizure control and regain their independence.
In addition, this innovation contributes to lower long-term healthcare costs by reducing dependence on costly anti-seizure medications, which often come with significant side effects.
It also facilitates a quicker return to work for patients, thereby minimising productivity losses.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), epilepsy affects around 50 million people worldwide, with 30% of patients resistant to medication, a condition that severely impacts their ability to work, drive, and maintain daily activities, making surgery the only viable option to restore their quality of life.
The KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 15th globally in the list of the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the second consecutive year and has been recognised as the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, according to the 2025 Brand Finance rankings.
