Long-term video-EEG in patients with frontal seizures

The interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) yield of long-term video-EEG (LTVEEG) monitoring is increased compared to a single out-patient EEG, but was not studied specifically in frontal lobe epilepsy. Since IED recording can influence the length of monitoring when seizures are not recorded during LTVEEG, we aimed to assess the IED yield of LTVEEG recording in patients with frontal seizures. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 20 patients with frontal seizures during non-invasive LTVEEG in Tel Aviv Medical Center between 2003 and 2008 and compared them with the results of out-patient EEG. The study group included 11 (55%) men and 9 women aged 15-82 years (mean: 27 years). LTVEEG duration ranged between 4 and 29 days (mean: 14 days). IEDs were detected by each of the tests in eight (40%) patients. We conclude that non-invasive LTVEEG and out-patient EEG have a similar diagnostic yield for IEDs in patients with frontal seizures. Therefore, seizures remain the most relevant clinical outcome of LTVEEG.