Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society
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J Clin Neurophysiol · Oct 2011
Application of electrophysiologic techniques in poor outcome prediction among patients with severe focal and diffuse ischemic brain injury.
To explore various electrophysiologic examinations as predictors for poor outcome in patients with severe ischemic brain injury, by comparing the prognostic ability of EEG, short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SLSEP), and brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP). ⋯ The predictive power of electrophysiologic examinations is different according to the etiology of ischemic brain injury. Short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (N20) can be considered the most powerful method to predict poor outcome in anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Combination of EEG (unfavorable EEG patterns) and SLSEP (N20)/BAEP (wave V) is best suited in massive hemispheric infarction to predict poor outcome.
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J Clin Neurophysiol · Oct 2011
Usefulness of standard EEG in predicting the outcome of patients with disorders of consciousness after anoxic coma.
Although standard EEG is performed routinely in patients with disorders of consciousness after coma, its prognostic value is still debated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of standard EEG in predicting the recovery of cognitive functioning in patients affected by severe disturbances of consciousness after coma caused by cerebral anoxia. A standard EEG was recorded at admission to our Rehabilitation Department in 15 patients experiencing impaired consciousness because of cerebral anoxia. ⋯ EEG scores were significantly correlated with both levels of cognitive functioning scores at admission (P = 0.004) and change in levels of cognitive functioning score after 3 months (P < 0.001). The first correlation confirms the relationship between EEG and cognitive functioning, while the second correlation indicates the prognostic value of EEG in cognitive outcome. In conclusion, standard EEG is a simple and readily available tool with significant prognostic value in patients with disorders of consciousness after coma caused by cerebral anoxia.
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In this study, the authors characterized the clinical and EEG features of adult patients with Down syndrome who were referred, for more than a 10-year period, to the Epilepsy Clinic in the Cork University Hospital. A retrospective audit of the charts of 28 patients with Down syndrome who had an EEG performed in the Cork University Hospital between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2009, including clinical follow-up, was carried out. Demographics, age at first seizure, seizure types, EEG findings, antiepileptic drugs, psychoactive medications, and seizure control were documented. ⋯ Five of the 28 patients had a normal EEG and 3 of these had a seizure disorder. There was no correlation found between use of psychoactive drugs and increased frequency/poor seizure control in patients in our study. This study documents the variability of clinical and electrophysiologic features in a well-characterized cohort of patients with Down syndrome with adult-onset epilepsy.
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J Clin Neurophysiol · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyGeneralized periodic epileptiform discharges in critically ill children: a continuum of status epilepticus or an epiphenomenon?
Generalized periodic epileptiform discharges (GPEDs) are a specific periodic EEG pattern, reported with status epilepticus (SE) or a metabolic or an anoxic encephalopathy in critically ill patients. In this study, we examined the clinical course and evolution of EEG findings associated with GPEDs in children with refractory convulsive SE. ⋯ Generalized periodic epileptiform discharges are seen during the treatment course of convulsive SE in children and heralded seizure recurrence. We found a sequential evolution of the EEG patterns after the control of convulsive SE, with GPEDs occurring in a dynamic fashion in a continuum along with burst suppression and electrographic seizures. Recognizing that GPEDs represent a still active epileptic state after the control of convulsive SE with intravenous anesthetic agents and modifying the treatment regimen to control GPEDs may prevent immediate seizure recurrence.