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Pattern of electroencephalographic abnormalities in children with hydrocephalus: a study of 68 patients
1Department of Neurology, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities are common in children with hydrocephalus, affecting both shunted and unshunted patients. These findings suggest hydrocephalus can cause widespread or localized brain electrical activity changes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) is a key diagnostic tool for evaluating brain function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the patterns of electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus.
- To compare EEG findings in shunted versus unshunted hydrocephalic children.
Main Methods:
- Standardized EEG recordings were obtained from 68 pediatric patients with hydrocephalus (age range 1 month to 17 years).
- EEG data were analyzed by a single electroencephalographer.
- Patients were categorized into shunted (n=48) and unshunted (n=20) groups.
Main Results:
- Overall EEG abnormality rates were high: 92% in the shunted group and 90% in the unshunted group.
- Common abnormalities included generalized asynchronous slow waves, epileptiform activity, and hypsarrhythmia.
- Specific EEG patterns varied between shunted and unshunted groups, with epileptiform activity more prevalent in the shunted group.
Conclusions:
- Hydrocephalus in children is frequently associated with significant EEG abnormalities, both focal and generalized.
- The observed EEG patterns may indicate diverse underlying neuropathological processes contributing to hydrocephalus.
- EEG remains a valuable tool for assessing neurological dysfunction in pediatric hydrocephalus.
Abstract:
The pattern of electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities was studied in 68 patients (41 male, 27 female, age range 1 month to 17 years) with hydrocephalus. They all had standardized EEG recordings, which were read by the same electroencephalographer. In 48 children the EEG was performed after ventriculo-peritoneal shunting. The EEG abnormalities in the shunted group included slow waves in 26 patients [focal 2 (4.2%), generalized asynchronous 22 (45.8%), generalized synchronous 2 (4.2%)]; amplitude abnormalities in 2 (focal 1, generalized 1); epileptiform activity in 26 [partial 11 (22.9%), generalized 15 (31.3%)] and hypsarrhythmia in 4 (8.3%). Only 4 (8.3%) traces were normal, giving an overall percentage abnormality of 92%. In the unshunted group generalized asynchronous slow waves were found in 12 patients (60%), generalized amplitude abnormality in 1, focal epileptiform activity in 3 (15%), and generalized epileptiform activity in 6 (30%); 2 tracings in this group were normal, giving an overall percentage abnormality of 90%. Hydrocephalus in children, regardless of the cause, may be associated with generalized or focal EEG abnormalities. This may reflect the heterogeneity of the neural generator in the underlying disease process.