Seizure : the journal of the British Epilepsy Association
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The literature on caregiver burden tends to focus on children and teenagers with epilepsy and less on adults. As caregiving is a dynamic, complex process across the trajectories, this study aims to examine the factors associated with caregiving burden in those caring for adults with epilepsy. ⋯ This study shows that caregivers' burden is highly associated with the family system (family functioning, support and number of caregivers), besides demographics, psychosocial and clinical characteristics. Future research is required to learn how to support this sub-group of caregivers within the family system.
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To characterise bilateral temporal encephalocele (BTE)-associated epilepsy relative to unilateral temporal encephalocele (UTE)-associated epilepsy as a rare but curable cause of structural epilepsy using demographics, epilepsy status and imaging findings. ⋯ When compared to UTE-associated epilepsy, BTE-associated epilepsy is characterised by a later age at onset, shorter delay in TE diagnosis and more frequent drug-resistance. As epilepsy surgery is a valid treatment option for both syndromes, a standardised diagnostic workup should be implemented for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with unknown aetiology to facilitate early detection of UTE and BTE.
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Resective epilepsy surgery based on an invasive EEG-monitors performed with subdural grids (SDG) or depth electrodes (stereo-electroencephalography, SEEG) is considered to be the best option towards achieving seizure-free state in drug-resistant epilepsy. The authors present a meta-analysis, due to the lack of such a study focusing on surgical outcomes originating from SDG- or SEEG-monitors. ⋯ SEEG-interventions were associated, at least, non-inferiorly, with seizure-freedom compared with SDG-monitors in temporal, lesional and overall subgroups.
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To examine the occurrence of glioma-related preoperative seizures (GPS) and post-operative seizure control (PSC) with respect to patients characteristics including five commonly tested tumor molecular markers (TMMs). ⋯ GPS and PSC may be associated with IDH1 mutation and MGMT gene promoter methylation status but not other glioma characteristics including tumor grade, location, or histopathology. Prospective studies with larger sample size are needed to clarify the exact mechanisms of GPS and PSC by the various TMMs to identify new treatment targets.
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To summarize the available evidence related to pediatric refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE), with emphasis on epidemiology, etiologies, therapeutic approaches, and clinical outcomes. ⋯ RSE and SRSE are neurological emergencies with limited therapeutic options. Multi-national collaborative efforts are desirable to evaluate the safety and efficacy of current RSE/SRSE therapies, and potentially impact patients' outcomes.