Background: When pharmacotherapy for epilepsy fails, surgical options, although efficacious, are highly invasive. We explored whether ablation of the cerebral cortex can be performed utilizing the cerebral venous system.
Methods: Mapping and radiofrequency ablation was performed via the venous system in two pigs.
Results: Eight targeted sites were successfully accessed and four targeted sites successfully ablated via the central cerebral venous network.
Conclusion: Electrophysiological mapping and radiofrequency ablation of the cerebral cortex can be performed via the cerebral veins.