[Epilepsy, epileptics, the work: conflicting relations]. / A epilepsia, o epiléptico e o trabalho: relações conflitantes.

Participation in the workplace by people with epilepsy is conditioned by various interrelated issues concerning epilepsy itself, the epileptic individual, and society's implicit cultural codes. In order to analyze how such conflictive participation interferes decisively in the quality of life of people with epilepsy, a survey was conducted with 339 patients at the University Hospital of Universidade Federal Fluminense. Patients answered questionnaires including level of schooling, professional qualifications, employment situation, frequency, type, and duration of seizures, associated phenomena, and prejudice towards epilepsy. We observed that satisfactory management of seizures is decisive for their success at work. All patients with daily seizures and 9.3% of those with weekly seizures had never been employed. We conclude that any intervention in this context must include the implementation of multiprofessional and intersectorial therapeutic programs and legislation to protect epileptic patients' rights in a broad effort at demystification of epilepsy.

[Electroencephalographic findings in post-anoxic myoclonic encephalopathy]. / Achados eletrencefalográficos na encefalopatia mioclônica pós anóxica.

The electroencephalographic (EEG) findings observed in nine patients with post-anoxic myoclonic encephalopathy are reported. The tracings showed typical myoclonus potential in some, and characteristic diffuse brain injury in others. In two of our cases the spike and wave complex was faster than in the others. Our EEG tracings are similar to those studied by Gastaut and Rémond in 1952.

Seizures in Chédiak-Higashi syndrome. Case report.

Chédiak-Higashi syndrome is a rare hematological disease characterized by increased fusion of cytoplasmatic granules. Neurological symptoms occur in approximately half of the patients. We describe the clinical, eletrophysiological, hematological and radiological findings in a girl who had Chédiak-Higashi syndrome and seizures.