Epilepsy profi le in adult Nigerians with late onset epilepsy secondary to brain tumor
- Author:
LF Owolabi
;
RO Akinyemi
;
MO Owolabi
;
UM Sani
;
A Ogunniyi
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Neurology Asia
2013;18(1):23-27
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Occurrence of epileptic seizure in patients with brain tumors is not uncommon. In
spite of the huge data from the developed world on epilepsy caused by brain tumor, there is paucity
of data emanating from Nigeria, hence, this study. Methods: The cases were recruited from a total
of 302 consecutive patients with late onset epilepsy, with fi rst episode of seizure after 25 years of
age, from three tertiary centres in northern and southern Nigeria. Information was collected on the
demography, seizure characteristics, and additional neurological, cognitive or behavioral symptoms.
All the patients had EEG and neuroimaging. Results: Sixty six patients, comprising 48 males (73%)
and 18 females (27%) had symptomatic seizure from brain tumor which constituted 21.9 % of patients.
Seizure was the only symptom in 27.3% and the fi rst symptom in 36.4% of the patients. Forty fi ve
(68.2%) patients had focal seizure. The most common histological type was low grade astrocytoma.
Common EEG fi ndings were epileptiform discharges (54.5%) and focal slowing (24.2%). EEG was
normal in 10.6% of the patients.
Conclusion: Seizure as the initial symptom was common among Nigerian patients with brain tumor
presenting as late onset epilepsy. Gliomas were the most common brain tumor. There is need to
investigate for tumor in Nigerian patients presenting with late onset epilepsy.
- Full text:P020150703581303291175.pdf
