Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi performs UAE’s first robotic-assisted SEEG procedure

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has carried out the UAE’s first robotic-assisted stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) procedure, marking a milestone in the diagnosis and management of complex epilepsy. This follows the hospital’s first non-robotic SEEG procedure last year, with robotic assistance now enhancing precision, safety, and efficiency. Since introducing the technique, the hospital has completed three procedures.

Traditionally, SEEG uses a frame-based method, in which a rigid head frame is attached to the patient’s skull to guide electrode placement. This process can be uncomfortable and time-consuming. The robot-assisted SEEG is a minimally invasive procedure that implants thin electrodes into targeted areas of the brain to monitor electrical activity and identify the origin of seizures. The method provides greater accuracy, reduced patient discomfort, and shorter recovery times compared with traditional approaches.

Robotic SEEG is particularly useful for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, where non-invasive diagnostic tools such as scalp EEG, MRI, PET-CT, and ictal SPECT scans may not provide sufficient detail. The robotic system enables millimetric precision in planning and executing electrode placement, reducing risks and improving diagnostic accuracy. Once seizure origins are identified, physicians can develop tailored surgical treatment plans aimed at long-term seizure control.

The procedure was led by Dr. Florian Roser alongside a team of epilepsy specialists, including Dr. Tanmoy Maiti, Dr. Mohamad Ayman Haykal, and Dr. Eugene Achi, ensuring coordinated care for optimal outcomes.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Neurological Institute continues to strengthen its role as a regional leader in advanced neurodiagnostics. The Level 4 Epilepsy Center provides intensive monitoring, comprehensive assessments, and a full range of surgical interventions for epilepsy, including intracranial electrode procedures.