Non-epileptic paroxysmal events in early childhood and role of EEG: A single center experience

Abstract

Aim: Non-epileptic paroxysmal events are the most frequently movement disorders mimicking epilepsy. Our aim in this article is to increase awareness among physicians by sharing our clinical experience; to reduce unnecessary anti-epileptic use and the number of examinations.

Methods: In total73 patients were included in the study. Patients were evaluated according to detailed anamnesis, video recordings, laboratory findings and electroencephalography (EEG) findings.

Results: The most common diagnosis in patients involved in the study was breath holding spells. The youngest age group was benign sleeping myoclonus. None of the patients had epileptiform activity in the EEG.

Conclusion: Non-epileptic paroxysmal events commonly involve the unnecessary use of anti-epileptic medications due to mimicking of epilepsy. This study has shown that detailed anamnesis, EEG findings, and increasing use of mobile phone video reduce unnecessary treatment and examination in these patients.

Keywords

• paroxysmal,electroencephalography,children

Erken çocukluk çağında epileptik olmayan paroksismal olaylar ve EEG’nin rolü: Tek merkez deneyimi

Öz

Amaç: Epileptik olmayan paroksismal olaylar, epilepsi ile en sık karıştırılan hareket bozukluklarıdır. Bu yazıdaki amacımız klinik deneyimimizi paylaşarak hekimler arasında farkındalığı arttırmak; gereksiz anti-epilepik kullanımını ve tetkik sayısını azaltmaktır.

Yöntemler: Çalışmaya 73 hasta dahil edildi. Hastalar ayrıntılı anamnez, video kayıtları, laboratuvar bulguları ve elektroensefalografi (EEG) bulgularına göre tanı açısından değerlendirildi.

Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil edilen hastalarda en sıktanı katılma nöbetiydi. En küçük yaş grubu benign uyku myoklonisiydi.Hastaların hiçbirinin EEG’sinde epileptiform aktivite saptanmadı.

Sonuç: Epileptik olmayan paroksismal olaylar, epilepsi ile sık karıştıklarından sıklıkla gereksiz anti-epileptik tedavi kullanımı söz konusu olmaktadır. Bu çalışma, ayrıntılı anamnez, EEG bulguları ve giderek yaygınlaşan video kullanımının böylesi hastalarda gereksiz tedavi ve tetkik gereksinimini azalttığını göstermiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• paroksismal,elektroensefalografi,çocuk

Kaynakça

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