Browsing by Author "Chicharro-Ciuffardi, Ada"
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Item Presurgical evaluation of temporal lobe epilepsy: Is an outpatient prolonged ambulatory EEG study sufficient to recommend a surgical resection?(2020) Chicharro-Ciuffardi, Ada; Marinis, Alejandro de; Milán, Anna; Mansilla, Daniel; Prat, Alberto; Velásquez, Alvaro; Gonzalez, Mónica; Acevedo, Hernán; Kanner, Andrés M.Purpose: Inpatient Video EEG Monitoring (VEM) is the typical study performed in presurgical evaluations. It is expensive and not widely available in developing countries. Recent studies suggested that in selected patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy secondary to unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), the recording of unilateral interictal epileptiform activity ipsilateral to the MTS may yield sufficient presurgical EEG data. Outpatient prolonged ambulatory EEG (AEEG) could be an alternative in these cases. The purpose of this study was to compare the post-surgical seizure outcome and costs between patients evaluated with AEEG versus VEM. Methods: Thirty patients with TLE were included: 21 evaluated with VEM and 9 with AmbEEG and underwent surgery between 2011 and 2017. The minimum, post-surgical follow-up period was 1 year. Results: Seven of nine patients who underwent AEEG had seizures ipsilateral to MTS. In two patients only unilateral interictal activity ipsilateral to the lesion was recorded. All patients were free of disabling seizures (Engel Class I) at last follow-up. The mean cost per patient of AEEG was $980 and was $4680 for VEM. Conclusion: AEEG may be used to identify candidates for temporal lobectomy in selected patients with unilateral lesional mesial TLE. This approach to EEG monitoring could make epilpesy surgery more affordable to some patients in developing countries.Item Psychiatric disorders secondary to nonconvulsive status epilepticus of frontal origin. Two clinical case reports(Fundación Juan José López Ibor, 2012) Chicharro-Ciuffardi, Ada; de Marinis-Palombo, Alejandro; González-Silva, Mónica; Gabler-Santelices, GuillermoNonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is common but often under-diagnosed. Due to the absence of specific symptoms, it is frequently misdiagnosed as a psychiatric disorder, which delays treatment. The cases of two patients who exhibited psychiatric symptoms and subtle cognitive disturbances (without confusion) as the sole manifestation of frontal lobe NCSE are reported. Both patients were initially treated as psychiatric disorders (depression and anorexia nervosa). The correct diagnosis was established by the electroencephalographic study, in one case after the patient experienced a generalized tonic-clonic seizure and in the other, after failure to improve with supposedly adequate treatment. There are reports of patients with NCSE whose symptoms suggest a psychiatric disorder (inappropriate behavior, emotional disinhibition, perseveration, reduced speech and motivation). This can occur without altered consciousness and symptoms may fluctuate, making the correct diagnosis extremely difficult. This entity can occur at any age and without a previous history of seizures. A high level of suspicion is necessary for prompt electroencephalographic study to confirm the diagnosis. Early treatment will correct the symptoms and significantly improve quality of life for patients and their families.