Long‐Term Outcome of Pattern‐Sensitive Epilepsy

Abstract

Summary:Purpose: To evaluate the long-term outcome of patients with pattern-sensitive epilepsy.Methods: We prospectively studied 35 patients (21 females and 14 males) with pattern-sensitive epilepsy (follow up ≥5 years; mean 13.9; range 6.4 -27.6). All cases had regular clinical examinations and serial electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. Photosensitivity and pattern sensitivity were ascertained neurophysiologically in all cases. Outcome was evaluated according to the following variables: duration of photosensitivity, rate of remission (seizure-free period ≥ 2 years), withdrawal of therapy, and recurrence after drug discontinuation.Results: The epilepsy was generalized in 18 cases (17 idiopathic, one symptomatic) and partial in 17 (13 idiopathic, four symptomatic). Sixteen patients (46%) had a family history of seizures. The mean age at the last examination was 21.4 years (range 11.2-35.5 years). Five patients (14%) had only reflex seizures. The most common type of spontaneous seizures was generalized (60%), whereas reflex seizures were more frequently partial (74%). Mean epilepsy duration was 8.7 ± 6.3 years. Patients with only reflex seizures were instructed to avoid precipitating stimuli and were not treated with antiepileptic drugs. Treatment was gradually withdrawn in 10 out of 30 treated patients, with relapse in only two cases. At the end of follow up, 28 patients (80%) were seizure-free.Conclusion: The long-term outcome of patients with patternsensitive epilepsy indicates a good prognosis with a favorable course for both spontaneous and reflex seizures.

Etiological profile of adult onset seizures: a hospital based prospective study from Kashmir, India

“…The first peak of seizures being more frequent in the first few years of life while a second and more pronounced peak among subjects with age more than 65 years. 22,23 This variation in the current study from developed world could be due to major population falling with-in age-group of 25-40 years as compared to elderly population. The other factor could be that in elderly people, seizures are neglected as compared to young population.…”

Effects of levetiracetam on EEG abnormalities in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

“…On the other hand, the changes in response to IPS were not significantly related to the reduction in frequency of DWM. This dichotomy could be due to the underlying process of epileptogenesis which in the case of PPR implies a genetically determined cortical hyperexcitability related to specific sensory inputs (Brinciotti et al, 2006). These findings are consistent with earlier case reports or small patient group reports using levetiracetam as adjunctive therapy.…”

Photosensitivity and epilepsy: Current concepts and perspectives—A narrative review

“…The authors concluded that pattern sensitive epilepsy is a distinguishable subtype of PSE in which the excitable regions within the visual cortex concerned with different attributes of observed objects or patterns determine susceptibility to a specific trigger and result in an electro clinical response [29]. The long-term outcome of patients with pattern-sensitive epilepsy was analysed by Brinciotti et al [30]. Generalised seizures were the most common type of spontaneous seizures (60%) whereas reflex seizures were more frequently partial (74%) [30].…”

“…The long-term outcome of patients with pattern-sensitive epilepsy was analysed by Brinciotti et al [30]. Generalised seizures were the most common type of spontaneous seizures (60%) whereas reflex seizures were more frequently partial (74%) [30]. At the end of follow-up, 80% of the patients had been seizure-free for more than two years [30].…”