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Seizures in children with primary brain tumors: incidence and long-term outcome

Raja B Khan1, Daniel L Hunt, Frederick A Boop

  • 1Department of Radiological Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-2794, USA. raja.khan@stjude.org

Epilepsy Research
|June 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Seizures in children with brain tumors can often be controlled, but specific factors like neurological deficits and EEG abnormalities predict poor outcomes. Further research into gabapentin as an initial anti-epileptic drug is warranted.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Neuro-oncology
  • Epileptology

Background:

  • Brain tumors are a significant cause of seizures in children.
  • Understanding seizure incidence and outcomes is crucial for effective management.
  • Identifying risk factors for poor seizure control is essential for improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and long-term outcomes of seizures associated with brain tumors in pediatric patients.
  • To identify predictors of adverse seizure outcomes in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of medical records for children with brain tumors and seizures at a single institution.
  • Characterization of seizure status for six months prior to follow-up.
  • Multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of uncontrolled seizures.

Main Results:

  • 157 children with a median follow-up of 3.3 years were analyzed.
  • Seizures were controlled in 65% of children; 17% had intractable seizures.
  • Neurological deficits, T2 peri-cavity hyperintensity, and EEG slow waves independently predicted uncontrolled seizures.

Conclusions:

  • Focal neurological deficits, T2 peri-cavity hyperintensity, and EEG slow waves are key predictors of poor seizure control in pediatric brain tumor patients.
  • While most brain tumor-related seizures can be managed, these factors indicate a higher risk.
  • Prospective studies on gabapentin as a first-line anti-epileptic drug are recommended.
Abstract

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