What is Wada testing?
The Wada test is a neurological exam used to diagnose and treat epilepsy. It’s often used to treat seizures that require surgery and may also be used to make an accurate epilepsy diagnosis. The test helps determine what side of your brain is responsible for speech and memory. While language is usually controlled by the left side of the brain, it can also be controlled by the right. Locating the parts of the brain that control these functions prior to neurosurgery helps your surgeon avoid them during the procedure.
Penn Medicine is a national leader in the diagnosis of seizure disorders and offers safe, expert Wada testing that gives you the peace of mind that comes with an accurate diagnosis and thorough treatment plan.
Who is a candidate for Wada testing?
The Wada test is given to patients experiencing seizures that require surgery and can’t be treated with medication or other means. It’s also given to patients believed to have epilepsy but who have not yet been diagnosed, and to people who are unable to undergo functional MRI (fMRI) because of metal or electronic implants in their bodies.
Wada testing is one of the most effective methods of identifying speech and language control in the brain prior to surgery. Your care team will work with you to determine if this test is necessary based on your symptoms and the results of other tests they may give you.
At Penn Medicine's Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, our surgeons have the experience and expertise to perform this complex test safely and effectively. We offer the latest and most advanced tools and techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of seizure disorders. Our specialists regularly perform Wada testing to help give patients the most accurate and reliable picture of their treatment options.
How the Wada test works
The Wada test is an outpatient procedure, which means you’ll go home the same day, but you’ll need someone to drive you home. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications, particularly aspirin and blood thinners, before the test. Your care team will explain the Wada test preparation requirements, including instructions for fasting. They will also want to know about any allergies you have.
Wada testing starts with a process called angiography, where your doctor injects a special imaging dye through a catheter so they can see how blood flows through your arteries.
After angiography, your doctor will use a local anesthetic to temporarily put one side of your brain to sleep (for about 10 to 15 minutes). Although this side of your brain will be asleep, you will remain awake. The anesthetic will help keep you comfortable and ensure you’re not in pain.
Your doctor will then test your language and memory function. This is done through exercises like asking you questions, having you count to a certain number, reading words, identifying objects in images, and similar activities.
Once the test is complete, your care team will review the results within a few days and then work with you to form a treatment plan based on their findings.
Wada test recovery
Wada testing involves anesthesia and catheterization so you will likely spend around four to six hours in the recovery area before you’re cleared to go home. This is done to ensure that the incision has closed properly and to reduce the risk of bleeding.
You may experience moderate pain, bruising, or numbness at the injection site. Contact your doctor if you experience unusually intense pain or if your incision starts bleeding. Your care team will tell you when you can resume normal levels of activity and will be available throughout your recovery to provide support.
Wada testing side effect management
Although Wada testing is a safe and minimally invasive technique, some patients may experience headaches, reactions to imaging dye, and sensitivity to anesthesia medications. Your care team will thoroughly explain any risks you face based on your health history and answer any questions you may have so you’re comfortable moving forward with the test.
A leader in seizure diagnosis and treatment
A seizure condition can leave you with many questions, and you deserve the most accurate answers when it comes to your prognosis and treatment options. Whether you need Wada testing for an epilepsy diagnosis or to see if your seizures need surgery, Penn Medicine offers the latest and most advanced diagnostic methods to bring clarity to your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Our team of neurology specialists are among the most experienced in the nation, recognized for their leadership in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. We offer a wide range of innovative therapies and tests for even the most complex types of seizure conditions. Understanding the cause of seizures helps us create individual care plans focused on bringing relief.
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