Woman Recovers From Three-Month Coma After Experimental Brain Surgery

A 33-year-old Israeli woman, identified only as Tali, has awakened from a three-month coma following a rare and complex medical procedure at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem. Tali had been healthy and active, working full-time and raising four children, until she suddenly developed a fever.

Her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to severe, continuous epileptic seizures that did not respond to initial treatments. Doctors placed her in an induced coma and on a ventilator, but the seizures persisted for two months. She received high-dose anti-epileptic drugs, biological treatments, and a vagus nerve stimulator, but her condition remained critical.

Seeking specialized care for her rare condition, Tali was transferred to Hadassah Ein Kerem. A team of experts from neurology, neurosurgery, anesthesia, and intensive care performed advanced invasive brain mapping, inserting thin electrodes to pinpoint the seizure-generating areas. This mapping identified abnormal electrical activity in multiple brain regions.

The medical team then opted for an experimental deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, a technique typically used for movement disorders like Parkinson's. Four electrodes were implanted deep within her brain to deliver electrical impulses, disrupting the abnormal activity. This highly unusual application of DBS is credited with saving Tali's life.

Within days of activating the device, Tali's abnormal brain activity significantly decreased. Doctors gradually reduced her sedation, and she regained consciousness. She has begun to recognize her family and respond to her surroundings. Tali is now embarking on a long rehabilitation process to regain physical and cognitive functions.

Dr. Sami Hayman, a senior neurosurgeon at Hadassah, described the case as extremely rare with a low chance of recovery, emphasizing the collaborative effort and innovative thinking that led to her awakening. Her husband expressed immense relief, calling her recovery a miracle and looking forward to her return to their children as a healthy mother.