Tuberous sclerosis, also known as Bourneville disease, is among hereditary diseases, the causes of which have long been unknown and are rooted in the formation of genetic mutations. Since genetic hereditary pathologies are the least studied among all areas of medicine and occur in a small number of patients, successful therapy for such pathologies requires the professionalism and experience of doctors, as well as the availability of modern medical equipment. In Israeli medical centers, all these conditions are provided, and assistance can be obtained even in severe cases. Treatment of tuberous sclerosis in Israel is conducted according to a scheme that is tailored individually for each patient and includes modern effective methods. Comprehensive therapy improves prognosis and alleviates painful symptoms in approximately 93% of patients.
To select effective methods for a given patient, comprehensive diagnostics must be conducted. In Israeli diagnostic centers, diagnostic procedures are performed using modern equipment that allows for the identification of pathology and description of the required signs. The treatment program is developed by a council that includes specialized professionals. Along with doctors, professional medical psychologists also work with patients, as their assistance is necessary since, in many cases, the patient may develop psycho-emotional disorders and behavioral deviations. Patient reviews indicate that the services provided to patients are of world-class quality, while their cost is significantly lower than in many other countries.
Treatment Methods for the Disease
The disease was first described over 150 years ago, is a rare hereditary disorder, and manifests with diverse symptoms. Most often, patients are diagnosed with neurological disorders caused by pathological changes in the central nervous system. In almost 90% of cases, epileptic (convulsive) seizures are observed, which occur regularly and very frequently for about a year, leading to behavioral disorders, aggressiveness, impulsivity, and developmental delays. All patients complain of dermatological diseases, in particular, areas of hyper- and hypopigmentation of the skin, angiofibromas. In many cases, visual acuity decreases. In the absence of necessary treatment and progression of the pathological process in various organs, benign tumors form.
Medication Therapy
- Anticonvulsants — anticonvulsant therapy is one of the main points of medication therapy and aims to eliminate existing seizures and prevent the development of new epileptic seizures. Since the frequency of seizures directly affects the likelihood of developing and the severity of diagnosed neurological disorders and intellectual developmental delays in the child, an epileptic seizure often becomes a cause of death for a small patient, making the prescription of effective anticonvulsants extremely important. Suitable types of anticonvulsants for this patient are selected based on the results of diagnostic examinations, while the frequency and severity of seizures and the type of disorder are also significant. Unfortunately, a considerable number of patients experience frequent seizures combined with the ineffectiveness of prescribed anticonvulsants. If resistance to any drug is observed, combination therapy is indicated, where the patient is prescribed several medications.
- Neurostimulators and neurotropic agents — drugs belonging to these groups are indicated in childhood to slow the progression of the pathological process and prevent delays in mental development.
- ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers — such drugs are prescribed in cases of diagnosed cardiac dysfunction and the development of heart failure.
- Osmotic diuretics — prescribed to normalize intracranial pressure, which increases with the enlargement of brain tumors.
The types of prescribed medications depend on which organs and structures are affected. The patient is indicated for lifelong medication.
Surgical Treatment
In the case of serious complications that significantly worsen the prognosis and pose a direct threat to the patient's life, the question of surgical intervention is considered.
Surgery is indicated in the case of the following disorders:
- Brain tumors — when the neoplasm reaches significant sizes, it compresses brain tissues and progressively increases intracranial pressure. Israeli neurosurgeons have extensive experience in performing minimally invasive surgeries. Surgical removal of tumors using stereotactic procedures performed on the CyberKnife minimizes the risk of damaging unaffected tissues.
- Development of nodules in brain tissues that impede normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage.
- Detection of nodules in the brain, where the likelihood of developing and the severity of epileptic seizures significantly increases (surgical removal of these neoplasms results in significantly fewer seizures).
- Pathological changes in the skin (cryoblation, electrocoagulation, and laser techniques are used for their removal).
- Hamartoma of the retinal eye (if it reaches large sizes, it is removed by coagulation).
- Polyps of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Renal hemorrhages (in these cases, nephrectomy is most often indicated).
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Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
A comprehensive examination necessary for specialists to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment is conducted in the diagnostic departments of Israeli clinics, on average, within three days.
Upon arriving at the clinic, the patient must visit the attending physician. During the initial consultation, the doctor reviews the medical history, collects detailed anamnesis, and performs a superficial examination. On this day, the necessary examinations are prescribed for the patient.
Performing the examinations listed in the prescriptions:
- expanded and biochemical blood tests;
- ultrasound examination (US) — performed in cases of suspected benign neoplasms in the examined organ;
- visual methods (CT, MRI);
- electrocardiography (ECG);
- echocardiography (heart US);
- genetic testing — a mandatory and most informative method that allows for the detection of mutations that caused the development of the pathology.
The council, which includes specialized professionals along with the attending physician, analyzes the completed research results, determines the final diagnosis, and develops a treatment plan.
How Much Does Treatment Cost
One of the most relevant questions for most medical tourists is the price of the treatment course. When undergoing treatment in Israel, foreign tourists can save about 30% of the amount required in Western European countries and 50% in the USA.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- Highly qualified doctors.
- Excellent material and technical base of clinics.
- High quality of minimally invasive neurosurgical operations.
- Use of modern medications.
- Affordable prices.
Effective treatment of tuberous sclerosis requires high professionalism from doctors and high-tech medical equipment available in Israeli clinics. Contact your chosen clinic without delay and undergo therapy under the guidance of world-class specialists.