Eber Medical Group

Epilepsy Diagnosis & Treatment in China

Eber Medical Group offers a comprehensive epilepsy program combining advanced neurophysiology (video-EEG, 3.0T MRI) with VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation), DBS, and integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Dr. Sun Chenyan was first in China to perform VNS for refractory epilepsy.

5 Days
Full Diagnosis
≤25,000 CNY
Diagnostic Program
300–400k CNY
VNS Surgery
6 Months+
Youngest Accepted

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures — sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It affects ~50 million people worldwide. While many cases are controlled with medication, approximately 30% are drug-resistant (refractory epilepsy) — and these are patients who benefit most from Eber's specialized neurosurgical and neuromodulatory interventions.

Epilepsy Diagnostic Protocol at Eber Medical Group

Our 5-day comprehensive diagnostic program (up to 25,000 CNY, inpatient) integrates Western neurophysiology with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) assessment:

1
Neurological Examination
Senior epileptologist evaluates reflexes, muscle tone, coordination; neuropsy testing
Western
2
EEG Studies
Routine EEG + Video-EEG monitoring + Sleep-deprivation EEG
Western
3
MRI Brain (Epilepsy Protocol)
Philips 3.0T with dedicated epilepsy sequences; identifies structural causes
Western
4
Laboratory Tests
CBC, metabolic panel, infection screen, toxicology (as indicated)
Western
5
TCM Diagnostic Assessment
Tongue inspection, pulse diagnosis, syndrome differentiation by TCM physician
TCM
6
Individualized Treatment Plans
Separate Western medicine plan + TCM plan developed simultaneously
Both

Note: Additional diagnostic methods (PET/SPECT, functional MRI, invasive EEG, genetic testing, metabolic screening) are available by clinical indication and are not included in the base program cost.

Epilepsy Pre-Surgical Evaluation Programs

Our hospital has developed two standardized pre-surgical evaluation programs for epilepsy. The key advantage is that both programs include complete epilepsy gene sequencing, which identifies the etiology at the genetic level and provides the foundation for precision treatment.

A

Inpatient Program

住院检查套餐

22,918 CNY
≈ 5 days

Key Advantages:

  • ✓
    One-stop completion: All tests completed centrally during hospitalization — efficient and convenient
  • ✓
    Dynamic medical monitoring: Long-term EEG monitoring under professional medical supervision, better for capturing ictal EEG and improving localization accuracy
  • ✓
    Double expert panel guarantee: Includes joint in-depth evaluation by hospital MDT team and invited external professors
B

Outpatient Program

门诊检查套餐

19,384 CNY
3–4 visits

Key Advantages:

  • ✓
    Economical & flexible: More cost-effective while maintaining core quality; flexible scheduling
  • ✓
    Same diagnostic depth: Access to identical advanced tests and expert team resources as inpatient program

Program Details

Program A: Inpatient Package (22,918 CNY)

1. Daily Fixed Fees

Includes daily VIP bed fee, international consultation fee, and Level 3 nursing care during hospitalization.

2. One-Time Fees

Includes dedicated caregiver, senior expert ward rounds, external specialist consultation (invited professors), and hospital MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) consultation.

3. Examination & Testing Fees

Includes three core diagnostic tests:

1. Brain MRI + DWI + DTI (International)

High-resolution multimodal MRI for precise identification of structural brain abnormalities.

2. Complete Epilepsy Gene Sequencing (International)

Identifies etiology from a genetic perspective, guiding precision treatment.

3. 24-Hour Video EEG Monitoring (International)

Long-term monitoring of brain electrical activity to clarify epileptic discharge characteristics.

Program B (Outpatient) includes the same core examinations (MRI, gene sequencing, video-EEG) and expert consultations, but is completed over 3–4 outpatient visits for greater flexibility and cost savings.

Treatment Methods: Epilepsy at Eber Medical Group

Method Indication Cost (CNY)
Antiepileptic Drug Optimization All epilepsy types — first-line Included in admission
VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation) Refractory epilepsy; reduces seizures 40–60% 300,000–400,000
DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) — ANT Generalized or focal refractory epilepsy Inquire for estimate
Resective Surgery (Temporal Lobectomy) Focal epilepsy with identifiable lesion — curative potential Inquire for estimate
Corpus Callosotomy Drop attacks in generalized epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut) Inquire for estimate
Acupuncture + Herbal TCM Adjunct therapy; reduces frequency, improves sleep/mood Included in TCM
Ketogenic Diet Support Pediatric refractory epilepsy; dietician-supervised Included in admission

VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation) — Dr. Sun Chenyan, First in China

VNS — Vagus Nerve Stimulation — was first performed in China by Dr. Sun Chenyan at Eber Medical Group. A small pulse generator (similar to a cardiac pacemaker) is implanted subcutaneously in the chest wall, with a lead coiled around the left vagus nerve in the neck. The device delivers programmed electrical bursts to the vagus nerve, which modulates brainstem and cortical excitability.

Total cost: 300,000–400,000 CNY, which includes device, surgical implantation, anesthesia, hospitalization, and initial programming. The device lasts 5–10 years depending on stimulation parameters.

Epilepsy — FAQs

What does the 5-day epilepsy diagnostic program include?
The 5-day inpatient program (up to 25,000 CNY) includes: neurological examination by a senior epileptologist, routine EEG, video-EEG monitoring, sleep-deprivation EEG, Philips 3.0T MRI with epilepsy protocol, complete lab work, and a full TCM diagnostic assessment (tongue/pulse). Both a Western treatment plan and a TCM treatment plan are developed. Additional tests (PET, invasive EEG, genetic testing) are available but not included in the base cost.
What is VNS for epilepsy and how much does it cost?
VNS — Vagus Nerve Stimulation — is a neuromodulation device implanted under the skin that delivers regular electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, reducing seizure frequency by 40–60% in refractory epilepsy. Dr. Sun Chenyan was first in China to perform VNS for refractory epilepsy. Total cost at Eber Medical Group: approximately 300,000–400,000 CNY.
Can children be treated for epilepsy at Eber Medical Group?
Yes. We accept children from 6 months of age. The team includes pediatric neurologists and pediatric neurosurgeons experienced with childhood epilepsy syndromes (Dravet, Lennox-Gastaut, infantile spasms, tuberous sclerosis complex).
How does TCM help with epilepsy?
In TCM, epilepsy ('dian xian') is often attributed to wind-phlegm obstruction or liver Yang rising. TCM treatment — acupuncture (Baihui, Shenmen, Fenglong), herbal formulas (modified Di Tan Tang), and dietary therapy — is used alongside anticonvulsants to reduce seizure frequency, medication side effects, and improve sleep and mood.
What is the minimum stay required for epilepsy treatment?
The diagnostic program requires a 5-day inpatient stay. Comprehensive treatment programs including medication optimization + TCM typically run 2–4 weeks. Surgical options (VNS, DBS) require 2–3 weeks for surgery + initial recovery.