Video-electroencephalogram (VEEG) monitoring is a valuable tool for diagnosing recurrent partial epilepsy, classification of intractable epilepsy, and evaluation of epilepsy surgery. The role of video EEG in identifying and determining the type of epilepsy and determining the location of seizures has been widely demonstrated, but there is There is a lack of uniform standards for adverse events and management methods during monitoring. In order to improve the quality of long-range video EEG monitoring and reduce the possible impact on patients during monitoring, it is necessary to summarize the possible adverse reactions during monitoring.
Objective To explore the efficacy of low to moderate doses of levetiracetam in adult patients with newly diagnosed partial epilepsy and possible predictors for poor treatment response. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients treated in West China Hospital from March 2011 to December 2015 whose clinical data were input into the Epilepsy database. Patients with newly diagnosed partial epilepsy and whose initial anti-epileptic drug was levetiracetam were screened out for this study. Their clinical data, especially responses to the treatment of levetiracetam were reviewed. Results Ninety-six patients were included in this study. Seventy-one of them achieved seizure-free for a complete year after initial treatment of levetiracetam. Forty-eight patients (50.0%) achieved seizure-free with levetiracetam monotherapy; 23 patients (24.0%) achieved seizure-free for one year with levetiracetam combination therapy. Sixty-nine (97.2%) of the 71 patients achieved seizure-free with low to moderate doses of levetiracetam (500 to 1 500 mg/day), with or without combination of other antiepileptic drugs. High baseline seizure frequency before initial therapy was an independent predictor of poor levetiracetam response in this multivariate logistic regression mode (P=0.019). Conclusions Low to moderate levetiracetam is both effective and well tolerated in newly diagnosed partial epilepsy patients. High baseline seizure frequency before initial therapy is an independent predictor of poor levetiracetam response.
Objective To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of status epilepticus in hospitals of different levels and the knowledge of status epilepticus in clinical physicians, in order to better guide clinical education in the future. Methods From August 2014 to August 2015, a questionnaire was designed and used to investigate the general situation of the hospital, the diagnosis of status epilepticus and the clinical practice among trainee doctors and students in the epilepsy training class in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit and the Department of Neurology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. The results of the investigation were statistically analyzed. Results Ninety questionnaires were distributed, and all the questionnaires were retrieved with validity. The number of investigated physicians was 42 (46.7%) from the Department of Neurology, 6 (6.7%) from the Department of Neurosurgery, 30 (33.3%) from the Intensive Care Unit and 12 (13.3%) from other departments. Twenty-seven (30.0%) physicians were from class Ⅲ grade A hospitals, 31 (34.4%) from class Ⅲ grade B hospitals, and 32 (35.6%) from class Ⅱ grade A hospitals. All the class Ⅲ hospitals and 53.1% of class Ⅱ hospitals had electroencephalograph monitoring facilities. The proportion of status epilepticus patients ranged from 0.5% to 10.0% in different hospitals. There were great differences in the identification and treatment of convulsive status epilepticus among different hospitals. Conclusions Status epilepticus is a common emergency. Questionnaire survey is an effective means to reflect the difference in identifying and treating the emergency among different departments and hospitals. It can guide clinical education and promote the identification and treatment of the emergency more accurately in doctors of all levels.
Objective This study aimed to provide data about the clinical features of first seizure in the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to improve the strategies for epilepsy prevention and control in this region. Methods We reviewed the clinical record of patients with first seizure in Neurology Department, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture People’s Hospital between January 2015 and October 2017 and summarised their clinical features. Results One hundred and one patients were included in this study with the average age of (43.0±18.4) years. Twenty-nine cases were diagnosed as statusepilepticus, 5 (17.2%) of whom died in 30 days. Among the 45 patients diagnosed with acute symptomatic seizure, 22 cases (48.9%) were caused by cerebral infection, including neurocysticercosis (n=4, 8.9%), tuberculous infection (n=8, 17.7%) and viral infection (n=7, 15.6%). Other causes of acute symptomatic seizure included cerebrovascular diseases (n=13, 28.8%), high altitude (n=3, 6.7%) and alcohol related or alcohol withdrawl (n=3, 6.7%). Conclutions These data suggest that the control of cerebral infections is essential for the prevention and treatment of seizures in the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Education of local primary doctors about status epilepticus will enable better management of seizures in this population.