[Tomographic findings in 1000 consecutive patients with antecedents of epileptic seizures]

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2002 Jun;60(2-B):416-9.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

We analyzed the cranial computerized tomography scans (CT) of 1000 consecutive patients with the history of seizures. The seizures were classified in generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GS) and partial seizures (PS) on the basis of the clinical semiology, as it was described by the patients and family members. Seizure types were correlated with age group, sex and CT findings. GS were observed in 70.7% of the patients and PS in 29.3 %. An increased incidence of GS was noted among the age groups 0 to 10 yrs (31%) and 11 to 20 yrs (21.8%). For PS the 0 to 10 yrs (24.5 %), 21 to 30 yrs (16.7%) and 31 tp 40 yrs (18.5%) age groups were the most prevalent groups. The CT scan findings for the GS group were the following: normal studies 48.8 % of the patients, calcifications/cysticercosis (14.0%), neurocysticercosis/cysts (9.6 %), hydrocephalus (4.3%), ischemia (4.2 %), non-definite lesions (4.1 %), tumor (2.5%), and others (12.5%). In the PS group we found 37.4% of normal studies, calcifications/cysticercosis (11.2%), neurocysticercosis/cysts (12.2%), tumor (10.5%), ischemia (5.4%), hydrocephalus (3.7%), non-definite lesions (8.1%) and others (11.6%). We emphasize the importance of CT scan imaging in patients presenting with seizures, particularly in the diagnosis of cysticercosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epilepsies, Partial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Epilepsies, Partial / etiology
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurocysticercosis / complications
  • Neurocysticercosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*