Evaluation of Electroencephalography Findings in Isolated Hypocalcemia Patients

Abstract

Aim:In our study, we aimed to analyze electroencephalography (EEG) findings in patients with hypocalcemia and to investigate possible relationship between calcium (Ca) level and EEG abnormalities and whether there was any change in EEG findings when serum Ca level returns to normal.Methods:Seventeen consecutive patients, who were admitted to the Endocrinology, Neurology and General Surgery Clinics at İstanbul Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital with a corrected serum Ca level of 8.5 mg/dL) in follow-up.Results:EEG abnormalities were detected in nine (53%) of 17 patients. EEG examination revealed slow background activity in seven patients (41%) and epileptiform abnormalities in two (12%) patients. In follow-up, normocalcemic period was observed in seven patients. EEG findings were improved in two of eight patients who had slow background activity and one of two patients with epileptiform activity in the normocalcemic period.Conclusion:Our study showed that various EEG findings, such as slowed background activity and epileptiform abnormalities, may be seen in isolated hypocalcemia patients even in the absence of clinical findings and these EEG findings may improve in normocalsemic period.

Keywords

• Hypocalcemia
• electroencephalography
• seizure