[EEG value in cases of epileptic seizures in early phase of stroke]

The aim of our work was to assess the usefulness of EEG in patients with seizures in acute phase of stroke. EEG patterns of 54 patients with epileptic seizures at the onset of stroke were evaluated: 45 of ischaemic, 6 of haemorrhagic origin and 3 with lacunar stroke as confirmed by CT or MR examination. Out of 40 patients, who had a single or multiple seizures at the onset of stroke, EEG revealed focal slow waves in 90% and in 22.5% they were accompanied by interictal epileptiform discharges. None of those patients had recurrent seizures during the time of hospitalisation irrespectively of applying antiepileptic drugs. In the remaining 14 patients prolonged disturbances of consciousness were observed. EEG examination revealed simple partial status epilepticus (SE) in 10 and complex partial SE in 4 of them. In 11 of those patients EEG disclosed fragments of periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLED) interrupted by seizure activity. The findings indicate that in patients with seizures in the acute phase of stroke EEG examination is very helpful in making the proper therapeutic decision by recognizing the SE. The introduction of antiepileptic drugs is generally not necessary in stroke patients with single seizures.