Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal (Jan 2015)
Computed tomography in the evaluation of recurrent unprovoked seizure disorders at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria
Abstract
Aims and objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of cranial Computed Tomography (CT) Scan in detecting intracranial structural diseases related to recurrent unprovoked seizure disorder. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the findings in 120 patients who had cranial CT scan for recurrent unprovoked seizure disorders in the Department of Radiology of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital from August 2010 to September 2012. Results: Of the 1,240 cranial CT scans performed during the period under review, only 120 (9.7%) cases had recurrent unprovoked seizure as indication for the procedure and were therefore included in the study. The patients were 71 (59.2%) males and 49 (40.8%) females. The ages of patients ranged from 1 month to 90 years. The mean age was 29.7+21.8 years. The highest prevalence of seizure disorder (25.8%) occurred in the less than ten year age group. The commonest lesions found were cerebral tumours 11 (9.2%), cerebral infarction 11 (9.2%) and cerebral atrophy 7 (5.8%). Cranial CT Scans were normal in 76 (63.3%) patients with recurrent unprovoked seizure disorders. The most frequent seizure type was generalized tonic clonic (76.7%). Conclusion: The use of Cranial CT Scan as a diagnostic tool led to the detection of intracranial lesions in 36.7% of patients with recurrent unprovoked seizure disorders. The detection of intracranial lesions in these patients would facilitate early and appropriate intervention.
