Boğaziçi Tıp Dergisi (Nov 2020)

Evaluation of focal Electroencephalography Findings in Idiopathic (Genetic) Generalized Epilepsy

  • Işıl Kalyoncu Aslan,
  • Günay Gül

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14744/bmj.2020.56198
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 3
pp. 89 – 95

Abstract

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INTRODUCTION[|]As a definition, idiopathic (genetic) generalized epilepsy (IGE) diagnostic criteria do not involve focal electroencephalography (EEG) anomalies, the patients have cranial imaging findings within normal limits and focal or lateralized seizures are absent. After long-term observations, it is shown that the EEG findings may include continuous and consistent focal anomalies. The present study aims to determine the clinical significance of focal EEG findings and to determine the relationship between these findings and structural lesions.[¤]METHODS[|]Forty-eight patients were selected according to IGE diagnostic criteria determined by International League against Epilepsy. These patients were interviewed concerning family and personal medical history. In the EEGs unilateral discharges, discharges that start unilaterally and generalize, and discharges that showed amplitude asymmetry, more than 50% were defined as focal findings. Cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) protocol for epilepsy was performed on all of the patients.[¤]RESULTS[|]Focal EEG findings were present in 54.2%; the highest ratio was in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Focal findings in EEGs did not have any significant relationship with Cranial MRI abnormalities. The findings showed that 26 patients had focal findings at least one of three EEGs of 26 patients; five patients had abnormal cranial MRI findings; five patients had both focal EEG findings and abnormal cranial MRIs.[¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]The ratio of focal findings was higher with 54.2%. However, in these patients, two out of three EEGs did not have any focal findings, and there was not any correlation between focal findings and any of the parameters. It was concluded that the focal findings in EEGs are not necessarily related to a cranial structural anomaly and the focal EEG findings should be persistent to be related to such anomalies. These focal disturbances may be related to the prognosis; however, further research is needed for a definite conclusion.[¤]

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