Epilepsia
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To investigate the feasibility of antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal following anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) and to identify the predictors of post withdrawal seizure recurrence. ⋯ AED withdrawal can be safely attempted following successful ATL. Seizure recurrences are few and can be managed easily.
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Status epilepticus (SE) is an important neurologic emergency requiring treatment on an intensive care unit (ICU). Although convulsive SE is self-evident, the diagnosis of nonconvulsive SE (NCSE) depends on electroencephalography (EEG) confirmation. Previous work showed that 82% of patients with SE had NCSE in our ICU. We hypothesize that continuous video-EEG monitoring (CVEM) may increase the diagnostic yield in patients with SE, especially NCSE, and leave fewer patients undiagnosed. ⋯ Frequency of NCSE diagnosis increased significantly after implementation of CVEM and was higher than the increment of performed investigations alone. Such an effect may result from the combination of longer observation periods during CVEM, greater and permanent availability of EEG recordings, and heightened awareness of NCSE. Future studies may corroborate improvement of diagnosis and outcomes in patients with disorders of consciousness by CVEM.