[Video electroencephalography in seizure disorders of children]

A total of 225 video-EEG examinations were performed in 179 children with various types of paroxysmal events, including 41 children aged 1-24 months of life and 138 patients aged 3-18 years. The studies were repeated in 25 patients; 80 one-hour recordings, 115 two-hour and 30 three-hour recordings were made. In selected cases EEG stimulating methods were employed, as well as tests provoking psychogenic events. In younger children video-EEG allowed confirming and more precise characterization of seizures in 19 of 41 patients (46.3%), whereas the corresponding number in older children was 17.4% (24 of 138 patients). In two children whose epilepsy was treated surgically, video-EEG was a significant element of preoperative diagnostic management. The use of the method allowed for diagnosing epileptic syndromes, Landau-Kleffner syndrome, reflex epilepsy, photogenic epilepsy and infant myoclonus epilepsy in 11 children. Video-EEG made it possible to rule out epilepsy in 3 of 41 younger children (7.3%) and in 24 of 138 older patients (17.4%). In 10 of 138 patients aged 12-17 years (7.3%), the method facilitated the diagnosis of psychic epilepsy, what allowed for initiation of an appropriate management without the administration of anti-epileptic drugs. In approximately one third of patients, video-EEG evaluation was helpful in selecting appropriate therapy.