Poststroke epilepsy-retrospective analysis

Abstract

The cerebrovascular disease is an important cause of epilepsy. The incidence may significantly vary (from 2.3% to 43%). Post stroke seizures occur within two weeks of stroke onset (as early onset seizures) or after two weeks of stroke (as late-onset seizures). The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical characteristics, including seizure type, radiological range of changes, modified Rankin scale and treatment of patients with post stroke seizures. We retrospectively analysed medical history of 164 adult patients with diagnosed post-stroke epilepsy hospitalized in Department of Neurology from 2012 to 2018. 87% of patients (143/164) were diagnosed with ischemic stroke, 13% (21/164) had hemorrhagic stroke. The mean age of patients was 69,8 years. 86 (52%) patients were men. 101 patients developed generalized tonic-clonic seizures, 63 focal onset seizures (including 44 patients with impaired awareness). 17 patients had early onset seizures, including 12 patients with ischemic stroke. Patients with the early-onset seizures had significant higher score in m Rankin scale compared with late-onset seizures. Front-temporo-parietal location was the most common for generalized tonic-clonic seizures and focal seizures with impaired awareness. Carbamazepine and valproid acid were the most common drugs used in treatment of postroke epilepsy. 1.Poststroke seizures most often have generalized tonic-clonic character2.Early seizures are associated with a higher disability on the modified Rankin scale3.The fronto-temporo-parietal location of stroke increases the risk of focal seizure with impaired awareness and generalized tonic-clonic seizures