Focal interictal epileptiform discharges in idiopathic generalized epilepsies Gawwam Gheyath Al1, Al-Mahdawi Akram2, Ali Seevan3, Fawzi Hayder A4,* 1Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq 2Head of Neurology Department, Baghdad Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq 3Department of Neurology, Baghdad Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq 4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Baghdad Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq *Corresponding author: Hayder A. Fawzi, Department of Neurology, Baghdad Medical city, Bab Al-madam, Baghdad, Iraq, Tel: + 964 (0) 7722627943 Email: hayder.adnan2010@gmail.com
Online published on 9 January, 2019. Abstract Background and Objective Idiopathic Generalized epilepsies (IGE) constitutes 15–20% of all epilepsies in adult and children. IGEs are electroclinical syndromes sharing specific clinical and EEG features, with their seizure phenotypes indicate the involvement of both hemispheres from the onset, both clinically and electrographically. Their EEG expression consists of initially generalized, bilaterally symmetrical discharges, whereas the background patterns are normal for age. We aimed to look at the presence of focal interictal EEG abnormalities in idiopathic generalized epilepsies and further analyze their characteristics, obviating misdiagnosis of focal epilepsy because of their presence. Method about 109 patient diagnosed as IGE enrolled in prolonged EEG. Focal EEG discharged were defined IEDs according to” The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society's Standardized Critical Care EEG terminology”, further analyzed and correlated with different IGE subtypes, and with other clinical and EEG variables. Results About one third (34.8%) of the patients had focal IEDs, most of them were JME subtype. Location of most (65.8%) was frontal, the pattern of occurrence was frequent in (50.0%), (81.4%) were affected by provocative manoeuvres. Conclusion Focal interictal epileptiform discharges found in one third in EEG of idiopathic generalized epilepsies, they are frequent, and there is a high possibility of their appearance in routine EEGs. Top Keywords Epileptiform, Epilepsy, Focal, Idiopathic, Interictal. Top |