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E-ISSN: 1308-6308 ISSN: 1304-9054
The Role of Electroencephalography in Differentiating Epileptic and Non-Epileptic Events in Adolescents: 3-Year Experience in One Pediatric Neurology Center
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Original Article
VOLUME: 16 ISSUE: 2
P: 19-30
August 2018

The Role of Electroencephalography in Differentiating Epileptic and Non-Epileptic Events in Adolescents: 3-Year Experience in One Pediatric Neurology Center

J Curr Pediatr 2018;16(2):19-30
DOI: 10.4274/jcp.2018.0018
Tülay Kamaşak 1
Betül Diler Durgut 1
Elif Acar Arslan 1
Sevim Şahin 1
Beril Dilber 1
Tuğba Kurt 1
Ali Cansu 1
1. Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi, Pediatrik Nöroloji Bilim Dalı, Trabzon
2. Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi, Biyoistatistik Bölümü, Trabzon
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ABSTRACT

DISCUSSION and CONCLUSION:

Detailed history and careful neurological examination are important in the differentiation of epileptic from non-epileptic events. As many patients exhibit EEG anomalies without accompanying epilepsy as patients exhibiting normal EEG despite the presence of epilepsy. It is impossible to generalize on this subject, and each patient must be carefully evaluated. This can help reduce the numbers of unnecessary EEGs

RESULTS:

EEG abnormality was observed in 39% of the 219 patients undergoing EEG on suspicion of seizure and in 7% of the 787 patients undergoing EEG due to events evaluated as non-epileptic. The number of patients was higher in the pseudoseizure and syncope group in non-epileptic events compared to the other groups, with an abnormality level at EEG of 7%. Comparison of EEG anomaly within all the non-epileptic groups revealed the highest level of abnormality in the learning disorders group, at 13%. The abnormality level was only 4% in the significantly more numerous headache group.

METHODS:

The EEG records of 1000 patients aged 5-18 undergoing first EEG at the Karadeniz Technical University Medical Faculty Pediatric Neurology Clinic in 2013-2016 were examined. Clinical symptoms responsible for EEG being performed and the results thereof were compared.

INTRODUCTION:

Electroencephalography (EEG) is an indispensible diagnostic tool for pediatric neurologists in the diagnosis of epileptic seizures. The current rise in patient numbers in pediatric neurology departments due to non-epileptic as well as epileptic events is also causing increasing numbers of EEGs to be performed.