Generalised periodic epileptiform discharges: clinical features, neuroradiological evaluation and prognosis in 37 adult patients

AbstractGeneralised periodic epileptiform discharges (GPEDs) are very rare patterns and are classified as periodic short-interval diffuse discharges (PSIDDs), periodic long-interval diffuse discharges (PLIDDs) and suppression-burst patterns according to the interval between the discharges.In this study we analysed the demographics, history of the seizures during the current illness, mental status, diagnosis, metabolic abnormalities, neuroimaging studies and prognosis of 37 adult patients who had GPEDs in their EEGs. Ages ranged from 17 to 82 years (mean 45 years). There were 19 males and 18 females. The most common aetiology of GPEDs was metabolic and/or infectious disease which was established in 22 patients (59.5%). Other aetiologies included subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in 11 patients (29.7%) and Creutzfeld–Jakob disease (CJD) in 4 patients (10.8%). We showed that structural lesions were found in most of the patients with GPEDs, but concurrent metabolic abnormalities and/or infectious diseases were also detected. Consciousness was impaired and clinical conditions were poor in various degrees in all of the patients when GPEDs were seen. Relatively little is known regarding the mechanism of GPEDs.When GPEDs are seen in EEG, the patient should carefully be checked for metabolic abnormalities and/or infectious diseases and intracranial lesions. GPEDs may be helpful in the determination of prognosis, showing the poor prognosis especially in cases when suppression-burst pattern is seen

Otoimmün Epilepsi/Limbik Ensefalit, Uyku İğciklerinde Değişikliğe Neden Olabilir

Introduction: Sleep disorders have been described in patients with autoimmune limbic encephalitis (LE). The changes in sleep structure were also reported. Recently sleep spindle abnormalities such as asynchronous or prolonged spindles were observed children with LE. Methods: We studied the sleep and number of sleep spindles in the continuous electroencephalography-polysomnography (EEG-PSG) recordings of 6 patients with autoimmune epilepsy and/or LE. The longest NREM 2 period was selected. We evaluated the spindle density (spindles per minute), and compared that to the spindle densities of epilepsy patients with bilateral hippocampal sclerosis and healthy controls. Results: We have demonstrated that patients with autoimmune epilepsy and/or LE had reduced slow wave sleep with decreased number of sleep spindles. The mean number of spindles in 60 seconds was 5.86 +/- 5.03 in patients with autoimmune epilepsy and/or LE. But spindle density was higher in two control groups (10.6 +/- 1.65 and 9.95 +/- 0.79). Conclusions: The sleep abnormalities in LE can result from the disruption of thalamo-limbic circuits, and lead to changes in spindle wave activity. Although density of spindles decreased with acute lesions in thalamo-limbic circuits, the relations with structural lesions or chronicity of disease are not clear. That may be related to functional disruption of neural circuitry

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy is a Predisposing Factor for Sleep Apnea: A Questionnaire Study in Video-Eeg Monitoring Unit

Objective: The interaction between epilepsy and sleep is known. It has been shown that patients with epilepsy have more sleep problems than the general population. However, there is no recent study that compares the frequency of sleep disorders in groups with medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE). The main purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of sleep disorders in two subtypes of epilepsy by using sleep questionnaire forms. Methods: One hundred and eighty-nine patients, out of 215 who were monitored for refractory epilepsy and were followed by the video-EEG monitoring unit, were divided into a group with TLE and a group with ETLE. The medical outcome study-sleep scale (MOS-SS), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and sleep apnea scale of the sleep disorders questionnaire (SD-SDQ) were completed after admission to the video-EEG monitoring unit. The total scores in the group with TLE and group with ETLE were compared. Results: Of the patients, TLE was diagnosed in 101 (53.4%) (45 females), and ETLE was diagnosed in 88 (46.6%) (44 females). Comparison of MOS-SS and Epworth sleepiness scale scores in the two subgroups did not reveal significant differences. In the group with TLE, SD-SDQ scores were significantly higher compared to that in the group with ETLE. Conclusion: Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy have higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) according to their reported symptoms. Detection of OSA in patients with epilepsy by using questionnaire forms may decrease the risk of ictal or postictal respiratory-related 'Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy'. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.WoSScopu

The Temporal Relation Between Seizure Onset And Arousal-Awakening In Temporal Lobe Seizures

Purpose: Our main aim was to determine the time interval between the seizure onsets and arousal awakening related to these seizures in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and to discuss the role of lateralization on arousal-awakening mechanisms. Methods: Thirty-three TLE patients who underwent video-EEG monitoring with simultaneous polysomnography (PSG) and had recorded nocturnal seizures were retrospectively examined. These TLE patients had 64 seizures during sleep. The onsets of seizures and arousal-awakening related to these seizures were marked according to clinical and electrophysiological features. The time interval between the seizure onset and arousal-awakening related to the seizure was compared in patients with right- or left-sided temporal lobe seizures. Results: In our TLE patients nocturnal seizures mostly followed arousal-awakening (64%). The time interval between the seizure onset and arousal-awakening related to the seizure was significantly shorter in patients with left-sided temporal lobe seizures (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Video-EEG monitoring and PSG with scalp electrodes in our TLE patients showed that nocturnal seizures mostly followed arousal-awakening, and it was more pronounced in those with left: sided seizures. Arousal-awakening might be a signal for subsequent seizures in patients with TLE. (C) 2016 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.WoSScopu

Heart rate variability remains reduced and sympathetic tone elevated after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery

PURPOSE: There is evidence of autonomic dysregulation in temporal lobe epilepsy. The structures removed during temporal lobectomy are important centers of central cardiovascular control; therefore surgery may conceivably alter the cardiovascular autonomic function. The effects of temporal lobectomy on autonomic cardiac control are controversial. We investigated the effects of temporal lobectomy on heart rate variability (HRV) in the early and late postoperative periods. METHODS: We used 1-h ECG recordings to assess heart rate variability by spectral analysis in 24 consecutive patients who underwent temporal lobectomy due to intractable temporal lobe epilepsy. ECG recordings were performed before and twice (early and late) after surgery. The results were compared with age and sex matched controls. RESULTS: When compared with controls, all the time and frequency domain indices (SDRR, RMSSD, TP, LF and HF) were significantly lower in the patient group before surgery. Findings were similar in the early and late post-operative periods except that the LF/HF ratio increased in the patient group after the late post-operative period. Within the patient group, compared to pre-operative results, normalized HF was increased in the early post-operative period; however in the late post-operative period, LF/HF ratio was increased. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that in patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy, HRV is decreased globally in both sympathetic and parasympathetic domains. While the total HRV remains reduced throughout the postoperative periods, the LF/HF ratio, i.e., sympathovagal balance is altered, in favor of parasympathetic side early after surgery, but towards the sympathetic side after the first postoperative month. rights reserved

SUDEP: Türkiye’de İlk Olgu Serisi

Introduction: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is defined as the sudden, unexpected, witnessed or unwitnessed, non-traumatic, and non-drowning death of patients with epilepsy with or without evidence of a seizure, excluding documented status epilepticus, and in whom postmortem examinations do not reveal a toxicological or anatomic cause for death. In this study, data on patients who passed away under observation in the epilepsy clinic due to sudden, unexpected death have been compiled, and we also aim to emphasize the importance of SUDEP in Turkey. Methods: This study was performed with a total of nine cases. Data were obtained from hospital records, information given by the families of patients, the database of the General Directorate for Civil Services of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkey, and from the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Cemetery Information System. As the basis of classification and definition, the proposals suggested by Nashef et al., which were made to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) in 2011, were taken into consideration. Results: Eight of the patients were classified as probable SUDEP and one of them as possible SUDEP; the mean age at SUDEP was 33 years, and the average follow-up period was 19.7 years. In these cases, except for known risk factors (generalized tonic-clonic seizures, nocturnal seizures, severe epilepsy, more frequent seizures, younger age at the onset of epilepsy, unwitnessed seizures, polytherapy, and mental handicap), a different risk factor was not identified Conclusion: This study is the first case series on SUDEP in Turkey. Postmortem studies are the most important shortcoming of the study. However, the importance of the topic is highlighted by presenting the available data. SUDEP deserves more attention during the daily practice of neurologists, pediatric neurologists, forensic physicians, and family physicians. If death is sudden and unexpected in a patient with epilepsy, SUDEP should be considered, regardless of the clear causes of death.Wo

The EEG Profile of an Outpatient Adult EEG Laboratory of one of the Reference Epilepsy Center in Turkey

Objectives:EEG training can be provided during neurology residency and in PhD, observership or fellowship programmes after residency in Turkey. In this study, we aim to reveal the EEG profile of a reference epilepsy center which provides EEG training in Turkey, by evaluating our patients’ clinical data and EEG findings within three months.Methods:The patients’ clinical data and EEG findings were retrospectively assessed and categorized in groups. EEG recordings that have multiple EEG findings (both focal slowing and interictal epileptic abnormality) were added into each group. EEGs with NCSE, clinical or subclinical ictal recordings, PNES and arrhythmias were noted.Results:Most of the 867 EEGs (56.2%) were performed for epilepsy. Three hundred thirty-six of the EEG recordings (39%) had normal findings while the rest had minimum one abnormal findings. One hundred ninety of the EEG’S (22%) had interictal epileptic discharges, 198 EEGs (23%) had focal or hemispheric slowing, 358 EEGs (41%) had non-specific findings. Fifteen (2%) EEGs had ictal recordings and 19 (2%) had NCSE. NCSE was found in 26% of patients presenting with altered consciousness. Habitual seizures were present with verbal induction in 3/11 patients diagnosis with PNES. Arrhythmia was found 4%.Conclusion:The most common reason to perform a routine EEG is epilepsy. The NCSE, ictal recordings, PNES and arrhythmias are not rare in an outpatient EEG laboratory. NCSE can be observed in 1/4 of patients who underwent EEG recording due to altered consciousness. This study reveals a cross-sectional profile of the reference hospital. EEG training would be provided with experienced specialists by interpreting quantitatively and qualitatively adequate EEGs