[Persistence of point-waves in the encephalogram (EEG) in idiopathic generalized epilepsy and therapeutic decisions]

We reviewed the literature on the following issues in idiopathic generalized epilepsy, is there a correlation between the persistence of seizures and electroencephalographic anomalies? Do point-waves observed in well-controlled patients constitute a factor predicting relapse? Do changes in paroxysmal anomalies during the disease course mean poor prognosis? Actually, there is very little literature on these issues and some disagreement in those data which have been published. Documented studies have been conducted in search of factors predicting relapse at treatment withdrawal, but little has been published concerning the role of the EEG. Few studies specifically mention idiopathic generalized epilepsy. In terms of the syndrome studied, they concern heterogeneous groups of patients. Generally, it is accepted that the EEG helps predict clinical course in idiopathic generalized epilepsy as it does in other epilepsies, given the characteristic EEG signs. This is true in patients under treatment and after treatment withdrawal. Risk errors were not however reported. II would appear reasonable to assume that no one EEG anomaly is determinant outside the clinical context.