Seizures After Surgery to Remove Pilocytic Astrocytoma

Posted by kellydietzel @kellydietzel, May 25 10:43am

My 16 year old son had surgery in January to remove a 3” Grade 1 Pilocytic Astrocytoma near the top left side of his head. The surgeon was able to remove the whole tumor and no further treatment was required at the time. 10 weeks post surgery my son had a tonic-clonic seizure and was hospitalized for a few days while doctors conducted an EEG and MRI. Some calcification was present on the MRI but no signs of remaining tumor or regrowth. Keppra 750mg 2x a day was prescribed, then bumped up to 1000mg 2x a day. Son started noticing blurred vision in the morning so doctor lowered the dose back to 750mg. Headaches began increasing in intensity and he had another seizure 6 weeks after the first one. He’s still only 4 months post surgery, is it too optimistic to think the seizures are just part of the recovery process? The doctors believe it’s the brain’s response to the trauma of removal of such a large tumor. We’re due for a follow up MRI in another month but we’ll be anxious every day until then.

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My heart goes out to you all❤️, such a courageous, strong family you have, I'm praying for all your needs to met at this time,and for you all to be filled with no pain or fear, just healing , as you navigate through this difficult tempary crisis ✝️🕊️❤️🌍I pray for this to pass quickly and all your questions and prayers be answered, in Jesus almighty name, Amen. Kindest regards, Gillian. ✝️❤️

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My heart goes out to you all❤️, such a courageous, strong family you have, I'm praying for all your needs to met at this time,and for you all to be filled with no pain or fear, just healing , as you navigate through this difficult tempary crisis ✝️🕊️❤️🌍I pray for this to pass quickly and all your questions and prayers be answered, in Jesus almighty name, Amen. Kindest regards, Gillian. ✝️❤️

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@kellydietzel

I think seizures after surgery for a benign brain tumor are not unusual and Keppra seems to be the drug of choice. I had a stage 2 meningioma and was sent home with a low dose Keppra prescription. I had a seizure; the prescription was increased; had another seizure. Etc. until the seizures were stopped. Currently 9 years after, I take 1500 mg 2x a day of extended release Keppra. A lot of Keppra but it controls my seizures so well that I can drive again. The neurologist says I “have a scar on the brain” with the followup MRI’s showing no recurrence (so far).

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