Predictive value of EEG monitoring during drug withdrawal in children with cryptogenic partial epilepsy

Abstract

In order to evaluate the predictive value of the interictal EEG after discontinuation of anticonvulsant therapy in children with cryptogenic partial epilepsy, a prospective study was carried out on 84 children and adolescents who had been seizure-free for at least 2 years. Twenty-four children (28.6%) presented one or more relapses. EEG monitoring during drug withdrawal showed abnormalities in 67% of the patients (16/24) who relapsed with seizures, and in 10% of the patients (6/60) who did not relapse. Our study suggests that in children who have suffered from partial epilepsy, the detection of paroxysmal abnormalities during drug withdrawal, in a previously normal EEG is a risk factor for recurrence of seizures. It is therefore advocated that periodic EEG monitoring be carried out during the drug withdrawal period, because the presence of EEG abnormalities is associated with a high probability of seizures occurring during or after drug discontinuation.