Clinical and Neuroimaging Correlates of Epileptiform EEG Findings in Mild to Moderate Head Injury
Abstract number :
1.073
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
352
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
B. Jabbari, M.D., Neurology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD; M. Erickson, M.D., Neurology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD; O.A. Prokhorenko, M.D., Neurology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD; M. Sparling, MS, Neurology
RATIONALE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the frequency and character of epileptiform EEG findings (EFs) in patients with mild to moderate head injury and correlate the findings with presence or absence of epileptic seizures and with MRI data. Concurrent EEG and MRI data has been rarely reported before in patients with mild/moderate head injury.
METHODS: We have prospectively studied the epileptiform EEG findings (disinct sharp waves, spikes with or without slow waves) in 176 patients with mild to moderate head injury. The group consisted of 161 males and 15 females. EEG,s were recorded on a 21 channel digital equipment using 10-20 recording system and included hyperventilation, photic stimulation and sleep. The EEG data was correlated with neurological and neuroimaging (MRI)(1.5 Tesla) data available in our computerized registry.
RESULTS: Epileptiform EEG findings were found in 20 of 176 (11.4%) patients with mild/moderate head injury. The composition of EF[scquote]s was as follows: infrequent sharp waves (17), sharp waves and spikes(2), sharp and slow waves (1). Three of the 20 patients with EF[scquote]s had epileptic seizures (15%). Two of three patients demonstrated partial complex and one patient had generalized seizures. Fourteen of 20 patients (70%) demonstrated an abnormal MRI study compared to 61% of the patients without EF,s. MRI was focally abnormal in two of three patients with both seizures and EFs in EEG.
CONCLUSIONS: Epileptiform EEG findings are not uncommon in mild to moderate head trauma and were seen in 15% of this series. In this study the majority of EF[scquote]s were subtle and did not correlate with presence of epileptic seizures. More patients with EF[scquote]s had abnormal MRI compare to the group without EF[scquote]s but this did not reach statistical significance.
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