Electroencephalography Normalization in Eight Patients with Severe Epilepsy Treated with Vigabatrin as Monotherapy
Abstract number :
2.262
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
3073
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
A.M. Oliveira, M.D., Child Neurology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; L.E. Elkis, M.D., PhD, Child Neurology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; T.R.C. Messias, M.D., Child Neurology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; R.M. V
RATIONALE: Vigabatrin (VGB) is a new generation antiepileptic drug. Despite of side effects already discribed, it maintins effective indication in specific syndromes, such as West Syndrome particularly when the etiology is tuberous sclerosis (TS). Effectiveness in seizure control has been reported, but its effects on EEG normalization has not been widely well-delineated.
METHODS: We reviewed the EEG data of eight patients who had a normalization of their recordings as well as seizure control.
RESULTS: Seven patients (4 males) presented severe epilepsy which started between one and six months (mean 3.8). One male patient had a later onset of epilepsy (6 years old). Five patients presented infantile spasms (2 TS, 2 hypoxic-isquemic encephalopathy and 1 criptogenic); one with tonic seizures (hemimegalencephaly); one with simple partial seizures (porencephaly) and one with complex partial seizures (congenital toxoplasmosis). All had abnormal neurological examination, but one (cryptogenic infantile spasms). Before being admitted to VGB monotherapy protocol all patients had abnormal EEGs, characterized by: frequent multifocal epileptiform discharges (ED) in two, generalized ED in one; frequent focal ED in four and hypsarrhythmia in one patient. All patients underwent VGB at the dose of 75-125 mg/Kg/day and had their EEGs normalized in prolonged recordings, performed after drug introduction.
CONCLUSIONS: The clinico eletroencephalographic improvement demonstrated in this series emphasizes that VGB has still a strong indication in particular cases.