PURPOSE: In a population-based retrospective cohort of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy, to determine (1) what proportion meet criteria for early medical intractability, and (2) predictors of enduring intractability. METHODS: Children with newly diagnosed epilepsy between 1980 and 2009 while resident in Olmsted County, MN, and followed >36 months, were stratified into groups based on both early medical intractability ("apparent" medical intractability in the first 2 years) and enduring intractability (persisting intractability at final follow-up or having undergone surgery for intractable epilepsy), and variables predicting these outcomes were evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: Three hundred eighty-one children were included, representing 81% of our cohort with newly diagnosed epilepsy. Seventy five (19.7%) had early medical intractability, and predictors of this outcome on multivariable analysis were neuroimaging abnormality (risk ratio, 2.70; p = 0.0004), abnormal neurologic examination at diagnosis (risk ratio, 1.87; p = 0.015), and mode of onset (association was significant for focal vs. generalized onset [risk ratio, 0.25; p < 0.0001] but not unknown vs. generalized onset [p = 0.065]). After a median follow-up of 11.7 years, 49% remained intractable, 8% had rare seizures (≤ every 6 months), and the remainder were seizure-free. The only factor predicting enduring intractability on multivariable analysis was neuroimaging abnormality (risk ratio, 7.0; p = 0.0006). SIGNIFICANCE: Although a significant minority of children with early medical intractability ultimately achieved seizure control without surgery, those with an abnormal imaging study did poorly. For this subgroup, early surgical intervention is strongly advised to limit comorbidities of ongoing, intractable seizures. Conversely, a cautious approach is suggested for those with normal imaging, as most will remit with time. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PURPOSE: In a population-based retrospective cohort of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy, to determine (1) what proportion meet criteria for early medical intractability, and (2) predictors of enduring intractability. METHODS:Children with newly diagnosed epilepsy between 1980 and 2009 while resident in Olmsted County, MN, and followed >36 months, were stratified into groups based on both early medical intractability ("apparent" medical intractability in the first 2 years) and enduring intractability (persisting intractability at final follow-up or having undergone surgery for intractable epilepsy), and variables predicting these outcomes were evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: Three hundred eighty-one children were included, representing 81% of our cohort with newly diagnosed epilepsy. Seventy five (19.7%) had early medical intractability, and predictors of this outcome on multivariable analysis were neuroimaging abnormality (risk ratio, 2.70; p = 0.0004), abnormal neurologic examination at diagnosis (risk ratio, 1.87; p = 0.015), and mode of onset (association was significant for focal vs. generalized onset [risk ratio, 0.25; p < 0.0001] but not unknown vs. generalized onset [p = 0.065]). After a median follow-up of 11.7 years, 49% remained intractable, 8% had rare seizures (≤ every 6 months), and the remainder were seizure-free. The only factor predicting enduring intractability on multivariable analysis was neuroimaging abnormality (risk ratio, 7.0; p = 0.0006). SIGNIFICANCE: Although a significant minority of children with early medical intractability ultimately achieved seizure control without surgery, those with an abnormal imaging study did poorly. For this subgroup, early surgical intervention is strongly advised to limit comorbidities of ongoing, intractable seizures. Conversely, a cautious approach is suggested for those with normal imaging, as most will remit with time. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Authors: Ada Geerts; Oebele Brouwer; Hans Stroink; Cees van Donselaar; Boudewijn Peters; Els Peeters; Willem F Arts Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2012-03-14 Impact factor: 5.864
Authors: Anne T Berg; Samuel F Berkovic; Martin J Brodie; Jeffrey Buchhalter; J Helen Cross; Walter van Emde Boas; Jerome Engel; Jacqueline French; Tracy A Glauser; Gary W Mathern; Solomon L Moshé; Douglas Nordli; Perrine Plouin; Ingrid E Scheffer Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2010-02-26 Impact factor: 5.864
Authors: Massimo Cossu; Giorgio Lo Russo; Stefano Francione; Roberto Mai; Lino Nobili; Ivana Sartori; Laura Tassi; Alberto Citterio; Nadia Colombo; Manuela Bramerio; Carlo Galli; Laura Castana; Francesco Cardinale Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2007-07-21 Impact factor: 5.864