Abstract
Seizures in previously seizure-free patients with brain tumours who have undergone resection can be prevented with the use of antiepileptic agents. This review of current literature showed that phenytoin was ineffective in preventing seizures when all trials were considered (OR=0.939; 95% CI=0.609–1.448; P=0.775). However, studies found levetiracetam to be significantly effective with low reported seizure frequencies (ranging from 2.5% to 7.0%) compared to patients without levetiracetam reported as 20%, (P<0.05). One head-to-head study demonstrated significant reduction of seizures in the levetiracetam group (1.9%) when compared to the phenytoin group (13.8%), P=0.034. Even with the limited evidence that exists regarding levetiracetam, significantly fewer seizures have been reported in patients undergoing brain tumour resection. Levetiracetam use in patients undergoing brain tumour resection should be considered on a case-by-case basis in the absence of good quality evidence from future trials to guide practice.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call