Dr. Qian-Zhou “JoJo” Yang, Division Chief of Child Neurology, Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at UNC School of Medicine, authored an editorial in the November 2025 issue of Neurology® titled: “Reframing Conceptions of Surgical Candidacy: Results From a Multicenter Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Database.”
In her piece, Dr. Yang explores evolving perspectives on surgical evaluation for children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). She emphasizes that surgery—often underutilized—can be life-changing and should be considered for all patients with DRE, regardless of whether the intervention is curative or palliative. Drawing on data from a large multicenter study, Dr. Yang underscores the importance of timely referral for surgical evaluation and highlights that even late referrals can lead to meaningful seizure reduction.
Her editorial aligns with the 2022 Expert Consensus Recommendation from the International League Against Epilepsy, advocating that surgical evaluation should be offered to all patients with DRE. Dr. Yang also calls for further research into optimal timing, social determinants of health, and patient and caregiver experiences.
Read the full editorial in Neurology®: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000214283