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Ambulatory cassette EEG in absence epilepsy
M J Keilson1, W A Hauser, J P Magrill
1Division of Neurology, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York 11219.
Pediatric Neurology
|September 1, 1987
Summary
Absence epilepsy, characterized by 3 Hz spike-wave activity, can cause altered consciousness even with brief seizures. Ambulatory EEG monitoring in children with absence epilepsy revealed frequent, often asymptomatic, seizure bursts, highlighting the need for long-term monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epileptology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Absence epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by generalized 3 Hz spike-and-wave discharges.
- Even brief seizure bursts can lead to altered consciousness and impaired reaction times.
- Accurate self-reporting of seizure frequency by patients with absence epilepsy can be unreliable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and nature of seizure activity in pediatric patients with absence epilepsy.
- To evaluate the utility of ambulatory cassette electroencephalography for monitoring absence epilepsy in children.
Main Methods:
- Studied 15 patients aged 5-16 years diagnosed with absence epilepsy.
- Utilized 8-channel ambulatory cassette electroencephalography for long-term monitoring.
- Analyzed electroencephalography data for paroxysms of generalized spike-and-wave discharges.
Main Results:
- All 15 patients exhibited multiple paroxysms of generalized spike-and-wave discharges.
- The majority of these electroencephalography-detected seizure bursts were asymptomatic.
- Ambulatory cassette electroencephalography facilitated easy, outpatient long-term monitoring.
Conclusions:
- Absence epilepsy patients frequently experience asymptomatic seizure bursts.
- Ambulatory cassette electroencephalography is a practical method for periodic long-term monitoring in pediatric absence epilepsy.
- Objective monitoring is crucial due to potential underreporting of seizure frequency by patients.