Consistent topography and amplitude symmetry are more typical than morphology of epileptiform discharges in genetic generalized epilepsy

Autor: Udaya Seneviratne, Wendyl D'Souza, Mark J. Cook
Rok vydání: 2015
Předmět:
Zdroj: Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. 127(2)
ISSN: 1872-8952
Popis: Objective To provide a quantitative evaluation of typical electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities in genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE). Methods We prospectively performed 24-h ambulatory EEG recordings in a cohort of patients with GGE. The diagnosis was established according to the International League Against Epilepsy criteria. Details of all epileptiform discharges across the 24-h time scale were entered into an electronic database. We carried out descriptive statistics to provide a quantitative breakdown of typical EEG abnormalities. Results A total of 6923 epileptiform discharges from 105 abnormal 24-h ambulatory EEGs were analyzed. 96% of discharges were symmetric in amplitude with fronto-central maximum topographically. Only 24% of the paroxysms had typical morphology while 43% were regular. Photoparoxysmal response, eye-closure sensitivity and hyperventilation-induced generalized paroxysms were less common in around 10%, whereas occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity was very rare (2%). Conclusion Our results indicate that generalized discharges with symmetric amplitude and fronto-central maxima are the most consistent findings in GGE, and other features are observed less frequently. Significance Epileptiform discharges displaying highly consistent amplitude symmetry coupled with fronto-central topography should provoke consideration of GGE. Recognition of variations from typical abnormalities is important to avoid the risk of misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis.
Databáze: OpenAIRE