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Epilepsy and complication after craniocerebral traumas
Monographs in Neural Sciences
|January 1, 1980
Summary
Post-traumatic epilepsy is rare following head injuries like concussion or contusion, affecting only 2.15% of patients years later. Prophylactic phenobarbital treatment was administered to patients after head trauma.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Traumatology
Background:
- Craniocerebral trauma, including concussion and brain contusion, can lead to long-term neurological sequelae.
- Understanding the incidence and timing of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of posttraumatic epilepsy in patients with a history of craniocerebral trauma.
- To analyze the time of onset for the first epileptic seizure after trauma.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 372 patients (aged 24-80) with prior craniocerebral trauma (355 concussion, 17 contusion) were examined 10-15 years post-injury.
- Diagnosis of posttraumatic epilepsy was based on clinical evaluation.
Main Results:
- Posttraumatic epilepsy was diagnosed in 8 patients (2.15% incidence).
- PTE occurred in 7 patients after concussion and 1 after brain contusion.
- The first epileptic seizure manifested between 4 months and 2 years post-trauma.
- Prophylactic phenobarbital was administered to all posttraumatic patients.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of posttraumatic epilepsy following concussion and brain contusion is low.
- Epileptic seizures can occur years after the initial head injury.
- Prophylactic anticonvulsant therapy was a standard practice in this cohort.