Cingulate gyrus epilepsy: semiology, invasive EEG, and surgical approaches

OBJECTIVEThe semiology of cingulate gyrus epilepsy is varied and may involve the paracentral area, the adjacent limbic system, and/or the orbitofrontal gyrus. Invasive electroencephalography (iEEG) recording is usually required for patients with deeply located epileptogenic foci. This paper reports on the authors’ experiences in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of patients with focal epilepsy originating in the cingulate gyrus.METHODSEighteen patients (median age 24 years, range 5–53 years) with a mean seizure history of 23 years (range 2–32 years) were analyzed retrospectively. The results of presurgical evaluation, surgical strategy, and postoperative pathology are reported, as well as follow-up concerning functional morbidity and seizures (median follow-up 7 years, range 2–12 years).RESULTSPatients with cingulate gyrus epilepsy presented with a variety of semiologies and scalp EEG patterns. Prior to ictal onset, 11 (61%) of the patients presented with aura. Initial ictal symptoms included limb posturing in 12 (67%), vocalization in 5, and hypermotor movement in 4. In most patients (n = 16, 89%), ictal EEG presented as widespread patterns with bilateral hemispheric origin, as well as muscle artifacts obscuring the onset of EEG during the ictal period in 11 patients. Among the 18 patients who underwent resection, the pathology revealed mild malformation of cortical development in 2, focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) Ib in 4, FCD IIa in 4, FCD IIb in 4, astrocytoma in 1, ganglioglioma in 1, and gliosis in 2. The seizure outcome after surgery was satisfactory: Engel class IA in 12 patients, IIB in 3, IIIA in 1, IIIB in 1, and IVB in 1 at the 2-year follow-up.CONCLUSIONSIn this study, the authors exploited the improved access to the cingulate epileptogenic network made possible by the use of 3D electrodes implanted using stereoelectroencephalography methodology. Under iEEG recording and intraoperative neuromonitoring, epilepsy surgery on lesions in the cingulate gyrus can result in good outcomes in terms of seizure recurrence and the incidence of postoperative permanent deficits.

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Epilepsy Surgery of the Cingulate Gyrus and the Frontomesial Cortex

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/neu.0b013e318237aaa3 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 70 (4) ◽

pp. 900-910 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Marec von Lehe ◽

Jan Wagner ◽

Joerg Wellmer ◽

Hans Clusmann ◽

Thomas Kral

Keyword(s):

Epilepsy Surgery ◽

Supplementary Motor Area ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Case Reports ◽

Motor Area ◽

Seizure Outcome ◽

Cingulate Gyrus ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

Abstract BACKGROUND: Epilepsy surgery involving the cingulate gyrus has been mostly presented as case reports, and larger series with long-term follow-up are not published yet. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with focal epilepsy arising from the cingulate gyrus and surrounding structures and its surgical treatment. METHODS: Twenty-two patients (mean age, 36; range, 12–63) with a mean seizure history of 23 years (range, 2–52) were retrospectively analyzed. We report presurgical diagnostics, surgical strategy, and postoperative follow-up concerning functional morbidity and seizures (mean follow-up, 86 months; range, 25–174). RESULTS: Nineteen patients showed potential epileptogenic lesions on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients had noninvasive presurgical workup; 15 (68%) underwent invasive Video-electroencephalogram (EEG)-Monitoring. In 12 patients we performed extended lesionectomy according to MRI; an extension with regard to EEG results was done in 6 patients. In 4 patients, the resection was incomplete because of the involvement of eloquent areas according to functional mapping results. Eight pure cingulate resections (36%, 3 in the posterior cingulate gyrus) and 14 extended supracingular frontal resections were performed. Nine patients experienced temporary postoperative supplementary motor area syndrome after resection in the superior frontal gyrus. Two patients retained a persistent mild hand or leg paresis, respectively. Postoperatively, 62% of patients were seizure-free (International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE] 1), and 76% had a satisfactory seizure outcome (ILAE 1–3). CONCLUSION: Epilepsy surgery for lesions involving the cingulate gyrus represents a small fraction of all epilepsy surgery cases, with good seizure outcome and low rates of postoperative permanent deficits. In case of extended supracingular resection, supplementary motor area syndrome should be considered.

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Periinsular anterior quadrantotomy: technical note

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2017.8.peds17339 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 124-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Giulia Cossu ◽

Sebastien Lebon ◽

Margitta Seeck ◽

Etienne Pralong ◽

Mahmoud Messerer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Frontal Lobe ◽

Refractory Epilepsy ◽

Focal Cortical Dysplasia ◽

Seizure Outcome ◽

Illustrative Case ◽

Neural Pathways ◽

Functional Neuroanatomy ◽

The Right ◽

Epileptogenic Foci

Refractory frontal lobe epilepsy has been traditionally treated through a frontal lobectomy. A disconnective technique may allow similar seizure outcomes while avoiding the complications associated with large brain resections. The aim of this study was to describe a new technique of selective disconnection of the frontal lobe that can be performed in cases of refractory epilepsy due to epileptogenic foci involving 1 frontal lobe (anterior to the motor cortex), with preservation of motor function. In addition to the description of the technique, an illustrative case is also presented.This disconnective procedure is divided into 4 steps: the suprainsular window, the anterior callosotomy, the intrafrontal disconnection, and the frontobasal disconnection. The functional neuroanatomy is analyzed in detail for each step of the surgery. It is important to perform cortical and subcortical electrophysiological mapping to guide this disconnective procedure and identify eloquent cortices and intact neural pathways.The authors describe the case of a 9-year-old boy who presented with refractory epilepsy due to epileptogenic foci localized to the right frontal lobe. MRI confirmed the presence of a focal cortical dysplasia of the right frontal lobe. A periinsular anterior quadrant disconnection (quadrantotomy) was performed. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was in Engel seizure outcome Class I at the 3-year follow-up. A significant cognitive gain was observed during follow-up.Periinsular anterior quadrantotomy may thus represent a safe technique to efficiently treat refractory epilepsy when epileptogenic foci are localized to 1 frontal lobe while preserving residual motor functions.

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Stereoelectroencephalography in Children and Adolescents With Difficult-to-Localize Refractory Focal Epilepsy

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/neu.0000000000000453 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 75 (3) ◽

pp. 258-268 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Jorge Gonzalez-Martinez ◽

Jeffrey Mullin ◽

Juan Bulacio ◽

Ajay Gupta ◽

Rei Enatsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Early Experience ◽

Morbidity Rate ◽

Seizure Outcome ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Epileptogenic Zone ◽

Eloquent Cortex

Abstract BACKGROUND: Although stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) has been shown to be a valuable tool for preoperative decision making in focal epilepsy, there are few reports addressing the utility and safety of SEEG methodology applied to children and adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To present the results of our early experience using SEEG in pediatric patients with difficult-to-localize epilepsy who were not considered candidates for subdural grid evaluation. METHODS: Thirty children and adolescents with the diagnosis of medically refractory focal epilepsy (not considered ideal candidates for subdural grids and strip placement) underwent SEEG implantation. Demographics, electrophysiological localization of the hypothetical epileptogenic zone, complications, and seizure outcome after resections were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (60%) underwent resections after SEEG implantations. In patients who did not undergo resections (12 patients), reasons included failure to localize the epileptogenic zone (4 patients); multifocal epileptogenic zone (4 patients); epileptogenic zone located in eloquent cortex, preventing resection (3 patients); and improvement in seizures after the implantation (1 patient). In patients who subsequently underwent resections, 10 patients (55.5%) were seizure free (Engel class I) and 5 patients (27.7%) experienced seizure improvement (Engel class II or III) at the end of the follow-up period (mean, 25.9 months; range, 12 to 47 months). The complication rate in SEEG implantations was 3%. CONCLUSION: The SEEG methodology is safe and should be considered in children/adolescents with difficult-to-localize epilepsy. When applied to highly complex and difficult-to-localize pediatric patients, SEEG may provide an additional opportunity for seizure freedom in association with a low morbidity rate.

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A.6 Vagus Nerve Stimulation in patients with therapy resistant generalized epilepsy

Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques ◽

10.1017/cjn.2021.268 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 (s3) ◽

pp. S15-S15

Author(s):

AS Suller Marti ◽

SM Mirsattari ◽

KW MacDougall ◽

D Steven ◽

A Parrent ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vagus Nerve ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Limited Information ◽

Best Response ◽

History Of ◽

Generalized Epilepsy

Background: For patients with generalized epilepsy who do not respond to anti-seizure medications, the therapeutic options are limited. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a treatment mainly approved for therapy resistant focal epilepsy. There is limited information on the use of VNS on generalized epilepsies, including Lennox Gastaut Syndrome(LGS) and genetic generalized epilepsy(GGE). Methods: We identified patients with a diagnosis of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome or Genetic Generalized Epilepsy, who underwent VNS implantation, between1997 and July 2018. Results: A total of 46 patients were included in this study with a history of therapy resistant generalized epilepsy. The mean age at implantation was 24 years(IQR= 17.8-31 years) and 50%(n=23) were female. The most common etiologies were GGE in 37%(n=17) and LGS in 63%(n=29). Median follow-up since VNS implantation was 63 months(IQR:31-112.8months). 41.7%(n=12) of the LGS group became responders, and 64.7%(n=11) in the GGE group. The best response in seizure reduction was seen in generalized tonic-clonic seizures. There was a reduction of seizure-related hospital admissions from 89.7%(N=26) pre-implantation, to 41.4%(N=12) post-implantation (p<0.0001). The frequency of side effects due to the stimulation was similar in both groups(62.1% in LGS and 61.1% in GGE). Conclusions: VNS is an effective treatment in patients with therapy resistant generalized epilepsy, especially GGE.

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Electrical stimulation for seizure induction during SEEG exploration: a useful predictor of postoperative seizure recurrence?

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry ◽

10.1136/jnnp-2019-322469 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 92 (1) ◽

pp. 22-26

Author(s):

Agnes Trebuchon ◽

Renata Racila ◽

Francesco Cardinale ◽

Stanislas Lagarde ◽

Aileen McGonigal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Predictive Factor ◽

Age Of Onset ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Focal Cortical Dysplasia ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Favourable Outcome ◽

Seizure Outcome ◽

Seizure Recurrence

ObjectiveDirect electrical stimulations of cerebral cortex are a traditional part of stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) practice, but their value as a predictive factor for seizure outcome has never been carefully investigated.Patients and methodWe retrospectively analysed a cohort of 346 patients operated on for drug-resistant focal epilepsy after SEEG exploration. As potential predictors we included: aetiology, MRI data, age of onset, duration of epilepsy, age at surgery, topography of surgery and whether a seizure was induced by either low frequency electrical stimulation (LFS) or high frequency electrical stimulation.ResultsOf 346 patients, 63.6% had good outcome (no seizure recurrence, Engel I). Univariate analysis demonstrated significant correlation with favourable outcome (Engel I) for: aetiology, positive MRI and seizure induced by stimulation. At multivariate analysis, informative MRI, type II focal cortical dysplasia and tumour reduced the risk of seizure recurrence (SR) by 47%, 58% and 81%, respectively. Compared with the absence of induced seizures, the occurrence of ictal events after LFS significantly predicts a favourable outcome on seizures, with only 44% chance of disabling SR at last follow-up.ConclusionAmong the already known predictors outcome, seizure induction by LFS therefore represents a positive predictive factor for seizure outcome after surgery.

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Cortical Dyplasia: Complete Resection Correlates with Outcome…But, Complete Resection of What?

Epilepsy Currents ◽

10.1111/j.1535-7511.2009.01306.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 100-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Theodore H. Schwartz

Keyword(s):

Fdg Pet ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Focal Cortical Dysplasia ◽

Cortical Dysplasia ◽

Seizure Outcome ◽

Type I ◽

Type Ii ◽

Presurgical Evaluation ◽

Mri Scans

Incomplete Resection of Focal Cortical Dysplasia Is the Main Predictor of Poor Postsurgical Outcome. Krsek P, Maton B, Jayakar P, Dean P, Korman B, Rey G, Dunoyer C, Pacheco-Jacome E, Morrison G, Ragheb J, Vinters HV, Resnick T, Duchowny M. Neurology 2009;72(3):217–223. BACKGROUND: Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is recognized as the major cause of focal intractable epilepsy in childhood. Various factors influencing postsurgical seizure outcome in pediatric patients with FCD have been reported. OBJECTIVE: To analyze different variables in relation to seizure outcome in order to identify prognostic factors for selection of pediatric patients with FCD for epilepsy surgery. METHODS: A cohort of 149 patients with histologically confirmed mild malformations of cortical development or FCD with at least 2 years of postoperative follow-up was retrospectively studied; 113 subjects had at least 5 years of postoperative follow-up. Twenty-eight clinical, EEG, MRI, neuropsychological, surgical, and histopathologic parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The only significant predictor of surgical success was completeness of surgical resection, defined as complete removal of the structural MRI lesion (if present) and the cortical region exhibiting prominent ictal and interictal abnormalities on intracranial EEG. Unfavorable surgical outcomes are mostly caused by overlap of dysplastic and eloquent cortical regions. There were nonsignificant trends toward better outcomes in patients with normal intelligence, after hemispherectomy and with FCD type II. Other factors such as age at seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, seizure frequency, associated pathologies including hippocampal sclerosis, extent of EEG and MRI abnormalities, as well as extent and localization of resections did not influence outcome. Twenty-five percent of patients changed Engel's class of seizure outcome after the second postoperative year. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to define and fully excise the entire region of dysplastic cortex is the most powerful variable influencing outcome in pediatric patients with focal cortical dysplasia. FDG-PET/MRI Coregistration Improves Detection of Cortical Dysplasia in Patients with Epilepsy. Salamon N, Kung J, Shaw SJ, Koo J, Koh S, Wu JY, Lerner JT, Sankar R, Shields WD, Engel J Jr, Fried I, Miyata H, Yong WH, Vinters HV, Mathern GW. Neurology 2008;71(20):1594–1601. OBJECTIVE: Patients with cortical dysplasia (CD) are difficult to treat because the MRI abnormality may be undetectable. This study determined whether fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/MRI coregistration enhanced the recognition of CD in epilepsy surgery patients. METHODS: Patients from 2004–2007 in whom FDG-PET/MRI coregistration was a component of the presurgical evaluation were compared with patients from 2000–2003 without this technique. For the 2004–2007 cohort, neuroimaging and clinical variables were compared between patients with mild Palmini type I and severe Palmini type II CD. RESULTS: Compared with the 2000–2003 cohort, from 2004–2007 more CD patients were detected, most had type I CD, and fewer cases required intracranial electrodes. From 2004–2007, 85% of type I CD cases had normal non–University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) MRI scans. UCLA MRI identified CD in 78% of patients, and 37% of type I CD cases had normal UCLA scans. EEG and neuroimaging findings were concordant in 52% of type I CD patients, compared with 89% of type II CD patients. FDG-PET scans were positive in 71% of CD cases, and type I CD patients had less hypometabolism compared with type II CD patients. Postoperative seizure freedom occurred in 82% of patients, without differences between type I and type II CD cases. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/MRI coregistration into the multimodality presurgical evaluation enhanced the noninvasive identification and successful surgical treatment of patients with cortical dysplasia (CD), especially for the 33% of patients with nonconcordant findings and those with normal MRI scans from mild type I CD.

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The effect of epilepsy control on psychogenic non epileptic seizures

10.21203/rs.3.rs-787410/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Muaz.A.Ibrahim ◽

Tasneem.M.F ◽

Khabab Abbasher Hussien Mohamed Ahmed ◽

Abdallah M. Abdallah ◽

Mohammed Eltahier Abdalla Omer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epileptic Seizure ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

Epileptic Seizures ◽

Abnormal Behavior ◽

Detailed History ◽

Follow Up Care ◽

History Of ◽

Patients With Epilepsy

Abstract Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases. The coexistence of epilepsy and PNES poses a major challenge to neurologists and psychiatrists in the treatment and follow-up care of patients. Methods: 33 Sudanese patients with epilepsy and concomitant psychogenic non epileptic seizure where included in this study and full detailed history of both epilepsy and PNES was obtained. The study was conducted in Daoud charity clinic during the period from May to July 2018Results : Out of 33 patients 19 were males and 14 were females. Seven patients had focal epilepsy, 23 had generalized tonic clonic epilepsy (GTC), 2 had GTC with atypical absent seizure, and one had GTC with myoclonus.Six patients experienced an attack of PNES after more than 1 year of being free of epilepsy, while 9 patients had PNES attack between 3 months to 1 year of the last attack of epilepsy, and 18 patients developed both PNES and epilepsy within less than 3 months.The pattern of presentation of PNES was bizarre movements in 13 patients, abnormal behavior in 9 patients, while 11 patients experienced both bizarre movement and abnormal behavior note that all those 11 patients had GTC epilepsy. Conclusion: Experiencing psychogenic non epileptic seizure (PNES) in patients with coexisting PNES and epilepsy is not affected by the epilepsy free period

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Posterior Quadrant Disconnection for Childhood Onset Sub-Hemispheric Posterior Head Region Epilepsy: Indications in an Indian Cohort and Outcome

Pediatric Neurosurgery ◽

10.1159/000519202 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Raju Kadam ◽

Arivazhagan Arimappamagan ◽

Malla Bhaskara Rao ◽

Nishanth Sadashiva ◽

Ravindranadh Chowdary Mundlamuri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focal Cortical Dysplasia ◽

Age At Onset ◽

Seizure Outcome ◽

Childhood Onset ◽

Head Region ◽

Posterior Quadrant ◽

Nodular Heterotopia ◽

Common Etiology ◽

Surgical Modality

Background: Posterior quadrant disconnection (PQD) is an under-utilized surgical technique in the management of refractory epilepsy. There is a dearth of data pertinent to post-PQD seizure outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients with drug-resistant childhood-onset epilepsy who underwent PQD at our center from 2009 to 2018. The clinical, imaging, and electrophysiological data were reviewed. The seizure outcome was noted from the latest follow-up in all patients. Results: Fifteen patients underwent PQD, with a mean age at onset of epilepsy of 3.3 ± 4.6 years. All patients had seizure onset in childhood with focal onset of seizures, and in addition, 5 had multiple seizure types. All cases underwent presurgical workup with MRI, video-EEG, psychometry, while PET/MEG was done if required. Engel Ia and ILAE I outcomes were considered to be favorable. The histology of the specimen showed 9 patients (60%) had gliosis, 4 (26.7%) had focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), while 1 patient had nodular heterotopia and another had polymicrogyria-pachygyria complex. Postoperative follow-up was available in 14 cases. One patient was lost to follow-up. Mean follow-up duration for the cohort was 45 + 24 months. At last, follow-up (n = 14), 66.7% (10 cases) had favorable outcome (Engel Ia). At the end of 1-year follow-up, up to 73% (n = 11) of the patients were seizure-free. Four patients developed transient hemiparesis after surgery which improved completely by 3–6 months. Conclusions: Gliosis was more common etiology requiring PQD in our series than Western series, where FCD was more common. PQD is a safe and effective surgical modality in childhood-onset epilepsy with posterior head region epileptogenic focus.

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The utility of arterial spin labeling in the presurgical evaluation of poorly defined focal epilepsy in children

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2020.7.peds20397 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Jack Lam ◽

Patricia Tomaszewski ◽

Guillaume Gilbert ◽

Jeremy T. Moreau ◽

Marie-Christine Guiot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fdg Pet ◽

Arterial Spin Labeling ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Spin Labeling ◽

Seizure Outcome ◽

Z Score ◽

Presurgical Evaluation ◽

3T Mri ◽

Scalp Eeg ◽

Intracranial Recording

OBJECTIVEThe authors sought to assess the utility of arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion 3T-MRI for the presurgical evaluation of poorly defined focal epilepsy in pediatric patients.METHODSPseudocontinuous ASL perfusion 3T-MRI was performed in 25 consecutive children with poorly defined focal epilepsy. ASL perfusion abnormalities were detected qualitatively by visual inspection and quantitatively by calculating asymmetry index (AI) maps and significant z-score cluster maps based on successfully operated cases. ASL results were prospectively compared to scalp EEG, structural 3T-MRI, FDG-PET, ictal/interictal SPECT, magnetoencephalography (MEG), and intracranial recording results, as well as the final surgically proven epileptogenic zone (EZ) in operated patients who had at least 1 year of good (Engel class I/II) seizure outcome and positive histopathology results.RESULTSQualitative ASL perfusion abnormalities were found in 17/25 cases (68%), specifically in 17/20 MRI-positive cases (85.0%) and in none of the 5 MRI-negative cases. ASL was concordant with localizing scalp EEG findings in 66.7%, structural 3T-MRI in 90%, FDG-PET in 75%, ictal/interictal SPECT in 62.5%, and MEG in 75% of cases, and with intracranial recording results in 40% of cases. Eleven patients underwent surgery; in all 11 cases the EZ was surgically proven by positive histopathology results and the patient having at least 1 year of good seizure outcome. ASL results were concordant with this final surgically proven EZ in 10/11 cases (sensitivity 91%, specificity 50%). All 10 ASL-positive patients who underwent surgery had positive surgical pathology results and good long-term postsurgical seizure outcome at a mean follow-up of 39 months. Retrospective quantitative analysis based on significant z-score clusters found 1 true-positive result that was missed by qualitative analysis and 3 additional false-positive results (sensitivity 100%, specificity 23%).CONCLUSIONSASL supports the hypothesis regarding the EZ in poorly defined focal epilepsy cases in children. Due to its convenience and noninvasive nature, the authors recommend that ASL be added routinely to the presurgical MRI evaluation of epilepsy. Future optimized quantitative methods may improve the diagnostic yield of this technique.

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WED 061 ‘real life’ experience with brivaracetam as add-on treatment for epilepsy

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry ◽

10.1136/jnnp-2018-abn.26 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 89 (10) ◽

pp. A7.2-A7

Author(s):

Hughes Rhiannon ◽

Maguire Melissa ◽

Geldard Jo ◽

Reuber Markus

Keyword(s):

Life Experience ◽

Focal Epilepsy ◽

Real Life ◽

Service Evaluation ◽

Serious Adverse Events ◽

Daily Dose ◽

History Of ◽

The Mean ◽

Clinical Records

BackgroundBrivaracetam received its UK licence as an adjuvant drug for focal epilepsy in adults in 2016. There is little data on its efficacy and tolerability in ‘real life’ settings. We present an interim analysis of a multicentre service evaluation of brivaracetam.MethodsData was retrospectively collected from clinical records at two UK centres of consecutive patients treated with brivaracetam and at least one follow up. Data were also extracted on previous levetiracetam use. Seizure frequency was categorised at baseline and follow-up (daily/weekly/monthly/yearly/none).Results: Of the 44 patients identified (17 male, mean age 39, range 19–66), 75% had a history of levetiracetam exposure (LE+) and 25% did not (LE−). Mean brivaracetam exposure was 10.3 months (2–21), the mean daily dose was 200 mg (50–400). Retention was 91% vs 100% in LE+ versus LE− groups at 3 months and 82% in both groups at 6 months. Seizure category improvements were seen in 20%/36.4% in the LE+ vs LE− groups, seizure category deteriorations in 0% vs 9%. There were no serious adverse events.ConclusionBrivaracetam emerges as a potentially useful adjuvant medication for focal epilepsy. It may be better tolerated by some patients than Levetiracetam and more effective than this drug.

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