[Epilepsy with centrotemporal (Rolandic) spikes. A peculiar seizure disorder of childhood]
Insights
Rolandic epilepsy, a common childhood condition, often resolves favorably with treatment. Most children experience seizure freedom and normal EEGs after therapy, indicating a positive long-term outlook.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epileptology
- Clinical Neurophysiology
Context:
- Rolandic epilepsy (RE) is a frequent focal epilepsy syndrome in children.
- Characterized by centrotemporal spikes on electroencephalogram (EEG).
- Understanding its clinical course and treatment outcomes is crucial for pediatric care.
Purpose:
- To investigate the long-term clinical and EEG evolution of Rolandic epilepsy in a cohort of children.
- To assess the efficacy of antiepileptic therapy in managing seizures and achieving remission.
- To determine the natural history of EEG abnormalities in Rolandic epilepsy.
Summary:
- The study followed 60 children diagnosed with Rolandic epilepsy.
- Rolandic epilepsy constitutes 13.4% of childhood epilepsy cases, peaking between ages 7-8.
- Clinical presentations included generalized (60%) and partial seizures (40%).
- Over 50% achieved seizure freedom with antiepileptic drugs, with 75% considered practically cured after 5 years seizure-free.
- EEG spikes resolved in over 80% of cases within three years.
Impact:
- Provides evidence for the generally favorable prognosis of Rolandic epilepsy.
- Highlights the effectiveness of antiepileptic therapy in achieving long-term remission.
- Demonstrates the resolution of EEG abnormalities, suggesting neurophysiological recovery.
Abstract:
The study presents the results of a long term investigation of 60 epileptic children with Rolandic (centrotemporal) spikes in EEG. The results could be summarized as follows: the Rolandic epilepsy is relatively frequent entity (13.4% of the total number of epileptic children). The age span was from 3--13 years, with a peak of age incidence between the 7th and 8th year of life. More than half of children had nocturnal fits only. From the clinical point of view 60% of children had generalized crises, and the remaining 40% had partial attacks corresponding to the functional organization of the Rolandic cortical area. The evolution of the Rolandic epilepsy in childhood is favourable. More than 50% didn't have more attacks after the introduction of antiepileptic therapy, and 3/4 of them could be classified as practically cured after an long-term follow-up (criterion: an attack-free period of at least 5 years. Finally, in more than 80% of cases after three years of follow-up the spikes have disappeared from the EEG tracings which were completely normal.
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