Immediate and long-term management practices of acute symptomatic seizures and epileptiform abnormalities: A cross-sectional international survey.

OBJECTIVES: Acute symptomatic seizures (ASyS) and epileptiform abnormalities (EAs) on electroencephalography (EEG) are commonly encountered following acute brain injury. Their immediate and long-term management remains poorly investigated. We conducted an international survey to understand their current management. METHODS: The cross-sectional web-based survey of 21 fixed-response questions was based on a common clinical encounter: convulsive or suspected ASyS following an acute brain injury. Respondents selected the option that best matched their real-world practice. Respondents completing the survey were compared with those who accessed but did not complete it. RESULTS: A total of 783 individuals (44 countries) accessed the survey; 502 completed it. Almost everyone used anti-seizure medications (ASMs) for secondary prophylaxis after convulsive or electrographic ASyS (95.4% and 97.2%, respectively). ASM dose escalation after convulsive ASyS depends on continuous EEG (cEEG) findings: most often increased after electrographic seizures (78% of respondents), followed by lateralized periodic discharges (LPDs; 41%) and sporadic epileptiform discharges (sEDs; 17.5%). If cEEG is unrevealing, one in five respondents discontinue ASMs after a week. In the absence of convulsive and electrographic ASyS, a large proportion of respondents start ASMs due to LPD (66.7%) and sED (44%) on cEEG. At hospital discharge, most respondents (85%) continue ASM without dose change. The recommended duration of outpatient ASM use is as follows: 1-3 months (36%), 3-6 months (30%), 6-12 months (13%), >12 months (11%). Nearly one-third of respondents utilized ancillary testing before outpatient ASM taper, most commonly (79%) a <2 h EEG. Approximately half of respondents had driving restrictions recommended for 6 months after discharge. SIGNIFICANCE: ASM use for secondary prophylaxis after convulsive and electrographic ASyS is a universal practice and is continued upon discharge. Outpatient care, particularly the ASM duration, varies significantly. Wide practice heterogeneity in managing acute EAs reflects uncertainty about their significance and management. These results highlight the need for a structured outpatient follow-up and optimized care pathway for patients with ASyS.

Prognostic value of early electrographic biomarkers of epileptogenesis in high-risk ischaemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is frequent. Better prediction of PSE would enable individualized management and improve trial design for epilepsy prevention. The aim was to assess the complementary value of continuous electroencephalography (EEG) data during the acute phase compared with clinical risk factors currently used to predict PSE. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 81 patients with ischaemic stroke who received early continuous EEG monitoring was studied to assess the association of early EEG seizures, other highly epileptogenic rhythmic and periodic patterns, and regional attenuation without delta (RAWOD, an EEG pattern of stroke severity) with PSE. Clinical risk factors were investigated using the SeLECT (stroke severity; large-artery atherosclerosis; early clinical seizures; cortical involvement; territory of middle cerebral artery) scores. RESULTS: Twelve (15%) patients developed PSE. The presence of any of the investigated patterns was associated with a risk of epilepsy of 46%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 83% and 78%. The association remained significant after adjusting for the SeLECT score (odds ratio 18.8, interquartile range 3.8-72.7). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that highly epileptogenic rhythmic and periodic patterns and RAWOD were associated with the development of PSE and complemented clinical risk factors. These findings indicate that continuous EEG provides useful information to determine patients at higher risk of developing PSE and could help individualize care.

Utility and rationale for continuous EEG monitoring: a primer for the general intensivist.

This review offers a comprehensive guide for general intensivists on the utility of continuous EEG (cEEG) monitoring for critically ill patients. Beyond the primary role of EEG in detecting seizures, this review explores its utility in neuroprognostication, monitoring neurological deterioration, assessing treatment responses, and aiding rehabilitation in patients with encephalopathy, coma, or other consciousness disorders. Most seizures and status epilepticus (SE) events in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting are nonconvulsive or subtle, making cEEG essential for identifying these otherwise silent events. Imaging and invasive approaches can add to the diagnosis of seizures for specific populations, given that scalp electrodes may fail to identify seizures that may be detected by depth electrodes or electroradiologic findings. When cEEG identifies SE, the risk of secondary neuronal injury related to the time-intensity "burden" often prompts treatment with anti-seizure medications. Similarly, treatment may be administered for seizure-spectrum activity, such as periodic discharges or lateralized rhythmic delta slowing on the ictal-interictal continuum (IIC), even when frank seizures are not evident on the scalp. In this setting, cEEG is utilized empirically to monitor treatment response. Separately, cEEG has other versatile uses for neurotelemetry, including identifying the level of sedation or consciousness. Specific conditions such as sepsis, traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cardiac arrest may each be associated with a unique application of cEEG; for example, predicting impending events of delayed cerebral ischemia, a feared complication in the first two weeks after subarachnoid hemorrhage. After brief training, non-neurophysiologists can learn to interpret quantitative EEG trends that summarize elements of EEG activity, enhancing clinical responsiveness in collaboration with clinical neurophysiologists. Intensivists and other healthcare professionals also play crucial roles in facilitating timely cEEG setup, preventing electrode-related skin injuries, and maintaining patient mobility during monitoring.

Background EEG Suppression Ratio for Early Detection of Cerebral Injury in Pediatric Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to assess the utility of the 1-h suppression ratio (SR) as a biomarker of cerebral injury and neurologic prognosis after cardiac arrest (CA) in the pediatric hospital setting. METHODS: Prospectively, we reviewed data from children presenting after CA and monitored by continuous electroencephalography (cEEG). Patients aged 1 month to 21 years were included. The SR, a quantitative measure of low-voltage cEEG (≤ 3 µV) content, was dichotomized as present or absent if there was > 0% suppression for one continuous hour. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed including age, sex, type of CA (i.e., in-hospital or out-of-hospital), and the presence of SR as a predictor of global anoxic cerebral injury as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: We included 84 patients with a median age of 4 years (interquartile range 0.9-13), 64% were male, and 49% (41/84) had in-hospital CA. Cerebral injury was seen in 50% of patients, of whom 65% had global injury. One-hour SR presence, independent of amount, predicted cerebral injury with 81% sensitivity (95% confidence interval (CI) (66-91%) and 98% specificity (95% CI 88-100%). Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that SR was a significant predictor of both cerebral injury (ß = 6.28, p < 0.001) and mortality (ß = 3.56, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The SR a sensitive and specific marker of anoxic brain injury and post-CA mortality in the pediatric population. Once detected in the post-CA setting, the 1-h SR may be a useful threshold finding for deployment of early neuroprotective strategies prior or for prompting diagnostic neuroimaging.

Comparative subcutaneous and submuscular implantation of an electroencephalography device for long term electroencephalographic monitoring in dogs.

Background: Implantable electroencephalography (EEG) recording devices have been used for ultra-long-term epilepsy monitoring both in clinical and home settings in people. Objective and accurate seizure detection and recording at home could be of great benefit in diagnosis, management and research in canine idiopathic epilepsy (IE). Continuous EEG monitoring would allow accurate detection of seizure patterns, seizure cycles, and seizure frequency. An EEG acquisition system usable in an "out of clinic" setting could improve owner and veterinary compliance for EEG diagnostics and seizure management. Objectives: Whether a subcutaneous ultra-long term EEG monitoring device designed for humans could be implanted in dogs. Animals: Cadaver study with 8 medium to large breed dogs. Methods: Comparatively using a subcutaneous and submuscular approach to implant the UNEEG SubQ-Implant in each dog. Positioning was controlled via CT post implantation and cranial measurements were taken. Results: In four of the eight dogs a submuscular implantation without any complications was possible. Complications were close contact to the optic nerve in the first approaches, before the implantation angle was changed and in the smallest dog contact of the implant with the orbital fat body. Cranial measurements of less than 95 mm length proved to be too small for reliable implantation via this approach. The subcutaneous approach showed severe limitations and the implant was prone to dislocation. Conclusion: The UNEEQ SubQ-Implant can be implanted in dogs, via submuscular approach. CT imaging and cranial measurements should be taken prior to implantation.

Case report: Invasive neuromonitoring in status epilepticus induced hypoxic ischemic brain injury.

Objectives: Literature on invasive neuromonitoring and bilateral decompressive craniectomies (BDC) in patients with refractory status epilepticus (RSE)-mediated hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) is limited. Neuromonitoring can guide decision making and treatment escalation. Methods and results: We report a case of a 17 years-old male who was admitted to our hospital's intensive care unit for RSE. HIBI was detected on neuroimaging on this patient's second day of admission after he developed central diabetes insipidus (DI). Invasive neuromonitoring revealed raised intracranial pressure (ICP) and brain hypoxia as measured by reduced brain tissue oxygen tension (PbtO2). Treatments were escalated in a tiered fashion, including administration of hyperosmolar agents, analgesics, sedatives, and a neuromuscular blocking drug. Eventually, BDC was performed as a salvage therapy as a means of controlling refractory ICP crisis in the setting of diffuse cerebral edema (DCE) following HIBI. Discussion: SE-mediated HIBI can result in refractory ICP crisis. Neuromonitoring can help identify secondary brain injury (SBI), guide treatment strategies, including surgical interventions, and may lead to better outcomes.

Crisis neonatales: evaluacion, diagnostico y tratamiento / Neonatal seizures: evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment

Resumen Las crisis convulsivas tienen una alta incidencia en la etapa neonatal, representando la principal manifes tación de disfunción neurológica. Ciertas condiciones fisiológicas del cerebro neonatal facilitan su aparición. Su diagnóstico puede ser un reto debido a que su semio logía no es tan clara comparado con niños mayores, y además, es necesario la confirmación por medio de EEG continuo o aEEG. Su reconocimiento oportuno es muy importante para un adecuado tratamiento y así evitar un impacto negative en el pronóstico a largo plazo. En la siguiente revisión, recapitulamos la fisiopatología, las causas y la clasificación de las crisis convulsivas neo natales, además de su correcto abordaje y las mejores opciones terapéuticas para su tratamiento dependiendo de la causa.

Abstract Seizures have a high incidence in the neonatal stage, being the main manifestation of neurological dysfunc tion. Certain physiological conditions of the neonatal brain facilitate its appearance. Its diagnosis can be a challenging because its semiology is not as clear as in older children, furthermore, confirmation by either EEG or aEEG is necessary. Its timely recognition is very im portant for adequate treatment and thus avoid a nega tive impact on the long-term outcome. In the following review, we recapitulate the pathophysiology, causes, and classification of neonatal seizures, as well as their correct approach and the best therapeutic options for their treatment depending on the cause.

Actualización en manejo del status convulsivo en niños / Status epilepticus in childhood. An Update

El estatus epiléptico (SE) en pediatría es una emergencia neurológica ya que presenta morbimortalidad. Existen diferencias con los adultos y su reconocimiento puede ser más difícil especialmente a edades tempranas. Se han precisado distintas etapas en el SE y se ha acortado el tiempo en su definición, lo anterior con el objetivo de dar opciones terapéuticas más precoces. Existen diversos protocolos terapéuticos y en todos ellos las benzodiazepinas constituyen la primera etapa, incluyendo la terapia pre-hospitalaria que si es bien realizada puede evitar la progresión al SE en un paciente con una crisis epiléptica. En estatus refractario y super refractario la evidencia es menor y el rol de los anestésicos es protagónico con la necesidad de un manejo integral en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP) y con un monitoreo electroencefalográfico continuo (cEEG), este último resulta ser un recurso limitado especialmente en el sistema público. Palabras Claves: estado epiléptico, monitoreo EEG continuo, pacientes pediátricos, anticonvulsivantes.

Status epilepticus (SE) in pediatric patients is a neurological emergency because it is associated to morbidity and mortality. There are differences between children and adults, making its recognition harder, especially in early ages. Different stages have been defined in SE and the time has been shortened in its definition, with the aim to give earlier therapeutic options. There are several protocols and in all of them benzodiazepines are the first option, even in the pre-hospital scenario, which, if managed well, can avoid progression to SE in a patient with an epileptic seizure. In refractory SE the evidence is poor and the role of anesthetics is more important with the need for an comprehensive management in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and with continuous electroencephalographic monitoring (eEEG), the latter being a limited resource especially in our public health system. Key words: Status epilepticus, pediatric patients, continuous EEG monitoring, antiepileptic drugs.

Papel de la monitorización electroencefalográfica continua en el diagnóstico de la epilepsia pediátrica / Role of continuous EEG monitoring in the diagnosis of pediatric epilepsy

El diagnóstico de la epilepsia es fundamentalmente clínico, pero frecuentemente se plantea el diagnóstico diferencial con fenómenos no epilépticos. El desarrollo de la monitorización EEG continua (MEEGC) en las últimas dos décadas ha permitido mejorar el diagnóstico de pacientes epilépticos de todas las edades. En este trabajo se revisan los datos de la literatura sobre la eficacia de los distintos tipos de MEEGC en el diagnóstico de la epilepsia pediátrica, resaltando especialmente nuestra experiencia personal. En nuestros estudios, la MEEGC ambulatoria suplementada con video permitió contestar la pregunta que determinó su petición en el 80% de pacientes diagnosticados de epilepsia y en el 83% de aquéllos con sospecha diagnóstica de epilepsia. Con la MEEGC ambulatoria asistida por ordenador, dichas cifras fueron 88% y 89%, respectivamente y con la MEEGC intrahospitalaria con video fueron 82% y 51%, respectivamente. La MEEGC intrahospitalaria con video es crucial en la evaluación de pacientes con epilepsia, candidatos al tratamiento quirúrgico. La MEEGC es también importante en pacientes con encefalopatías agudas ingresados en las unidades de cuidados intensivos. La MEEGC, tanto ambulatoria como intrahospitalaria, es muy útil en el diagnóstico diferencial de fenómenos clínicos epilépticos y no epilépticos y en la confirmación del tipo de epilepsia o síndrome epiléptico. Los avances tecnológicos y el desarrollo de nuevas modalidades de EEG en el futuro, harán que la electroencefalografía siga siendo una técnica muy importante en el estudio de la función cerebral en pacientes con enfermedades neurológicas agudas o crónicas.

The diagnosis of epilepsy is basically clinical, but it frequently raises the differential diagnosis with non-epileptic events. The development of continuous EEG monitoring (CEEGM) in the past decades has allowed a better diagnosis of epileptic patients of all ages. In this paper we review the data available in the literature about the efficacy of the different modalities of CEEGM in the diagnosis of pediatric epilepsy, emphasizing our personal experience. In our studies the ambulatory CEEGM supplemented with video allowed to answer the question that prompted its request in 80% of patients diagnosed with epilepsy and in 83% of those with the suspected diagnosis of epilepsy. With ambulatory computer-assisted CEEGM those figures were 88% and 89%, respectively, and with inpatient video-CEEGM they were 82% and 51%, respectively. The latter is crucial in the evaluation of epilepsy patients who are candidates for surgical treatment. Inpatient video-CEEGM is also very important in the management of patients with acute encephalopathies admitted to the Intensive Care Units. Both, ambulatory or inpatient CEEGM, are very useful in the differential diagnosis of clinical epileptic versus non-epileptic events, as well as in the confirmation of the type of epilepsy or epileptic syndrome. The development of technological advances and new EEG modalities in the future will help to continue to consider electroencephalography as a very important technique in the study of brain function in patients with acute or chronic encephalopathies.

Estado de mal epiléptico / Status epilepticus

INTRODUÇÃO: O estado de mal epiléptico (EME) é subdiagnosticado, especialmente as formas clínicas com sinais motores sutis ou apenas com alteração da consciência. É uma emergência neurológica que necessita diagnóstico imediato e a tratamento agressivo e para prevenir lesão neuronal. OBJETIVOS: Revisar, discutir e propor protocolo para o tratamento desta condição. METODOLOGIA: A literatura foi selecionada a partir de pesquisa nas bases de dados MEDLINE e PUBMED. RESULTADOS: Propomos um protocolo utilizando diazepam, fenitoína, fenobarbital, midazolam, thiopental e pentobarbital ainda nos casos refratários topiramato ou levetiracetam. CONCLUSÕES: Um protocolo estruturado para a investigação da etiologia e tratamento do EME é necessário e possibilita melhores chances de evolução dos casos.

INTRODUCTION: Status epilepticus (SE) is an under recognized medical emergency, especially subtle SE or clinical presentation mostly with conscience disturbance (nonconvulsive SE). It is a medical emergency that requires immediate and aggressive diagnoses and treatment. OBJECTIVES: Review, discuss and a protocol suggestion for treatment. METHODOLOGY: Literature publication was selected from MEDLINE and PUBMED. RESULTS: A protocol with diazepam, phenytoin, phenobarbital, midazolam, thiopental and pentobarbital, including topiramate and levetiracetam for refractory cases was proposed. CONCLUSIONS: A standardized protocol for SE work-up and treatment is useful and probably improves outcome.