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- Krysl, David, et al.
(author)
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The COVID-19 outbreak and approaches to performing EEG in Europe
- 2020
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In: Epileptic Disorders. - : Wiley. - 1294-9361 .- 1950-6945. ; 22:5, s. 548-554
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims. The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) pandemic affects availability and performance of neurophysiological diagnostic methods, including EEG. Our objective was to outline the current situation regarding EEG-based investigations across Europe. Methods. A web-based survey was distributed to centres within the European Reference Network on rare and complex epilepsies (ERN EpiCARE). Responses were collected between April 9 and May 15, 2020. Results were analysed with Microsoft Excel, Python Pandas and SciPy. Results. Representants from 47 EpiCARE centres from 22 countries completed the survey. At the time of completing the survey, inpatient video-EEGs had been stopped or restricted in most centres (61.7% vs. 36.2% for adults, and 38.3% vs. 53.2% for children). Invasive investigations and epilepsy surgery were similarly affected. Acute EEGs continued to be performed, while indications for outpatient EEGs were limited and COVID-19 triage put in place. The strictness of measures varied according to extent of the outbreak in a given country. Conclusions. The results indicate a profound impact of COVID-19 on neurophysiological diagnostics, especially inpatient video-EEGs, invasive investigations, and epilepsy surgery. The COVID-19 pandemic may hamper care for patients in need of EEG-based investigations, particularly patients with seizure disorders. ERN EpiCARE will work on recommendations on how to rapidly adapt to such situations in order to alleviate consequences for our patients.
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- Rados, Matea, et al.
(author)
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Diagnostic value of MRI in the presurgical evaluation of patients with epilepsy: influence of field strength and sequence selection: a systematic review and meta-analysis from the E-PILEPSY Consortium.
- 2022
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In: Epileptic disorders. - : Wiley. - 1950-6945 .- 1294-9361. ; 24:2, s. 323-342
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- MRI is a cornerstone in presurgical evaluation of epilepsy. Despite guidelines, clinical practice varies. In light of the E-PILEPSY pilot reference network, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the diagnostic value of MRI in the presurgical evaluation of epilepsy patients. We included original research articles on diagnostic value of higher MRI field strength and guideline-recommended and additional MRI sequences in detecting an epileptogenic lesion in adult or paediatric epilepsy surgery candidates. Lesion detection rate was used as a metric in meta-analysis. Eighteen studies were included for MRI field strength and 25 for MRI sequences, none were free from bias. In patients with normal MRI at lower-field strength, 3T improved lesion detection rate by 18% and 7T by 23%. Field strengths higher than 1.5T did not have higher lesion detection rates in patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS). The lesion detection rate of epilepsy-specific MRI protocols was 83% for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients. Dedicated MRI protocols and evaluation by an experienced epilepsy neuroradiologist increased lesion detection. For HS, 3DT1, T2, and FLAIR each had a lesion detection rate at around 90%. Apparent diffusion coefficient indices had a lateralizing value of 33% for TLE. DTI fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity had a localizing value of 8% and 34%. A dedicated MRI protocol and expert evaluation benefits lesion detection rate in epilepsy surgery candidates. If patients remain MRI negative, imaging at higher-field strength may reveal lesions. In HS, apparent diffusion coefficient indices may aid lateralization and localization more than increasing field strength. DTI can add further diagnostic information. For other additional sequences, the quality and number of studies is insufficient to draw solid conclusions. Our findings may be used as evidence base for developing new high-quality MRI studies and clinical guidelines.
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- Tomson, T., et al.
(author)
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The pharmacological treatment of epilepsy in adults
- 2023
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In: Epileptic Disorders. - 1294-9361. ; 25:5, s. 649-669
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The pharmacological treatment of epilepsy entails several critical decisions that need to be based on an individual careful risk- benefit analysis. These include when to initiate treatment and with which antiseizure medication (ASM). With more than 25 ASMs on the market, physicians have opportunities to tailor the treatment to individual patients needs. ASM selection is primarily based on the patient's type of epilepsy and spectrum of ASM efficacy, but several other factors must be considered. These include age, sex, comorbidities, and concomitant medications to mention the most important. Individual susceptibility to adverse drug effects, ease of use, costs, and personal preferences should also be taken into account. Once an ASM has been selected, the next step is to decide on an individual target maintenance dose and a titration scheme to reach this dose. When the clinical circumstances permit, a slow titration is generally preferred since it is associated with improved tolerability. The maintenance dose is adjusted based on the clinical response aiming at the lowest effective dose. Therapeutic drug monitoring can be of value in efforts to establish the optimal dose. If the first monotherapy fails to control seizures without significant adverse effects, the next step will be to gradually switch to an alternative monotherapy, or sometimes to add another ASM. If an add -on is considered, combining ASMs with different modes of action is usually recommended. Misdiagnosis of epilepsy, non-adherence and suboptimal dosing are frequent causes of treatment failure and should be excluded before a patient is regarded as drug-resistant. Other treatment modalities, including epilepsy surgery, neuromodulation, and dietary therapies, should be considered for truly drug-resistant patients. After some years of seizure freedom, the question of ASM withdrawal often arises. Although successful in many, withdrawal is also associated with risks and the decision needs to be based on careful risk- benefit analysis.
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- Zelano, Johan, 1981, et al.
(author)
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How to diagnose and treat post-stroke seizures and epilepsy
- 2020
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In: Epileptic Disorders. - : Wiley. - 1294-9361 .- 1950-6945. ; 22:3, s. 252-263
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Stroke is one of the commonest causes of seizures and epilepsy, mainly among the elderly and adults. This seminar paper aims to provide an updated overview of post-stroke seizures and post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) and offers clinical guidance to anyone involved in the treatment of patients with seizures and stroke. The distinction between acute symptomatic seizures occurring within seven days from stroke (early seizures) and unprovoked seizures occurring afterwards (late seizures) is crucial regarding their different risks of recurrence. Asingle late post-stroke seizure carries a risk of recurrence as high as 71.5% (95% confidence interval: 59.7-81.9) at ten years and is diagnostic of PSE. Several clinical and stroke characteristics are associated with increased risk of post-stroke seizures and PSE. So far, there is no evidence supporting the administration of antiepileptic drugs as primary prevention, and evidence regarding their use in PSE is scarce.
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