Stroke-related early seizures: clinical and neurophysiological study in a sample of Egyptian population

Abstract

BackgroundAvailable data collected from patients of different types of acute cerebrovascular strokes can detect risk factors, clinical data (including semiology of seizures), EEG findings and functional outcome of these patients. Stroke, both ischemic and hemorrhagic, has been considered an essential cause of epilepsy, especially in the elderly. Complications of acute stroke during the early days after the insult determine the ultimate outcome of events. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical and neurophysiological characteristics of stroke patients with or without clinical evident fits for early detection and better management.ResultsThe brain imaging of the cases group who developed seizures showed that 50% of the cases have arterial ischemic infarction, 30% venous infarction, 6.67% ischemic infarction with haemorrhagic transformation, 6.67% intracerebral haemorrhage and 6.67% have subarachnoid haemorrhage. Based on the 2017 ILAE criteria, 43.33% of the patients developed focal to bilateral tonic clonic seizures, 33.33% developed focal aware seizures, 16.67% of the patients developed generalized tonic clonic seizures and 6.67% of the patient developed status epilepticus. EEG findings of the group of patients who developed seizures showed, focal slowing in 46.67%, focal epileptiform activity in 13.33%, focal activity with secondary generalization in 10%, PLEDS in 6.67%, generalized epileptiform activity in 6.67%, generalized slowing in 6.67% and normal EEG in 10% of the patients. Non convulsive status was found in 2 patients (6.67%) of the group with altered mental status. There was no PLEDS in EEG of group of patients without clinical seizures. This study did not find age and sex differences in patients with and without seizures. In addition, it was found that there was no statistically significant difference between the three groups as regard history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart diseases, atrial fibrillation, carotid stenosis and collagen diseases. There was no significant relationship between seizures and early treatment with Rtpa and thrombectomy.ConclusionsFocal to bilateral tonic clonic and focal aware seizures were the most prevalent type of early onset seizures after stroke, followed by generalized tonic clonic seizures and status epilepticus. Most EEG findings in this study were focal slowing, focal epileptiform activities, generalized epileptiform activities and PLEDS.