Gastaut type idiopathic childhood occipital epilepsy.

Gastaut type idiopathic childhood occipital epilepsy is an uncommon epileptic syndrome characterised by frequent seizures, most commonly presenting as elementary visual hallucinations or blindness. Other occipital (non-visual) symptoms may also occur. Interictal EEG typically shows occipital paroxysms, often with fixation-off sensitivity. Ictal EEG is usually characterised by interruption by paroxysms and sudden appearance of low-voltage, occipital, fast rhythm and/or spikes. Despite well described clinical and EEG patterns, to our knowledge, there are very few reports in the literature with video-EEG recording of either seizure semiology or fixation-off phenomena. We present a video-EEG recording of a 12-year-old girl with Gastaut type epilepsy, illustrating the interictal and ictal aspects of this syndrome. Our aim was to demonstrate the clinical and neurophysiological pattern of a typical seizure of Gastaut type epilepsy, as well as the fixation-off phenomena, in order to further clarify the typical presentation of this syndrome. [Published with video sequences].

Subclinical seizures identified by postoperative electroencephalographic monitoring are common after neonatal cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society recommends continuous electroencephalographic monitoring after neonatal cardiac surgery because seizures are common, often subclinical, and associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes. We performed a quality improvement project to monitor for postoperative seizures in neonates with congenital heart disease after surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: We implemented routine continuous electroencephalographic monitoring and reviewed the results for an 18-month period. Clinical data were collected by chart review, and continuous electroencephalographic tracings were interpreted using standardized American Clinical Neurophysiology Society terminology. Electrographic seizures were classified as electroencephalogram-only or electroclinical seizures. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess associations between seizures and potential clinical and electroencephalogram predictors. RESULTS: A total of 161 of 172 eligible neonates (94%) underwent continuous electroencephalographic monitoring. Electrographic seizures occurred in 13 neonates (8%) beginning at a median of 20 hours after return to the intensive care unit after surgery. Neonates with all types of congenital heart disease had seizures. Seizures were electroencephalogram only in 11 neonates (85%). Status epilepticus occurred in 8 neonates (62%). In separate multivariate models, delayed sternal closure or longer deep hypothermic circulatory arrest duration was associated with an increased risk for seizures. Mortality was higher among neonates with than without seizures (38% vs 3%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous electroencephalographic monitoring identified seizures in 8% of neonates after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The majority of seizures had no clinical correlate and would not have been otherwise identified. Seizure occurrence is a marker of greater illness severity and increased mortality. Further study is needed to determine whether seizure identification and management lead to improved outcomes.

Hemispheric surgery for refractory epilepsy in children and adolescents: outcome regarding seizures, motor skills and adaptive function.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to report the seizure outcome, motor skills and adaptive motor functions in a series of children and adolescents who underwent hemispheric surgery, analysing the risk-benefits of surgery. METHODS: The clinical course, seizure and motor function outcomes of 15 patients who underwent hemispheric surgery were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 9.5, with 1-9 years follow-up. The underlying pathologies were Rasmussen encephalitis, vascular disorders, and hemimegalencephaly. All the patients presented with severe epilepsy and different degrees of hemiparesis, although motor functionality was preserved in 80% of the patients. At last follow-up, 67% were seizure free, and 20% rarely experienced seizures. Antiepileptic drugs were reduced in 60%, and complete withdrawal from such drugs was successful in 20% of the patients. The motor outcome following the surgery varied between the patients. Despite the motor deficit after surgery, the post-operative motor function showed unchanged for gross motor function in most (60%), while 27% improved. Similar results were obtained for the ability to handle objects in daily life activities. Sixty percent of the children were capable of handling objects, with somewhat reduced coordination and/or motor speed. CONCLUSION: Pre-surgical motor function continues to play a role in the pre-surgical evaluation process in order to provide a baseline for outcome. Hemispheric surgery, once regarded as a radical intervention and last treatment resource, may become routinely indicated for refractory hemispheric epilepsy in children and adolescents, with oftentime favourable motor outcomes.