Abstract

To study neuroimaging in partial seizures in children aged 2 to 12 years. To identify treatable causes of partial seizures. Methods: All children between 2-12 years of age, who presented to the Emergency Department of Pediatrics, Mallareddy Medical College for Women, Telangana, between January 2022 to March 2023, with partial seizures will undergo neuroimaging, plain and contrast (contrast where indicated). Results: The study population has fallen into two different age groups (1) 2 to 6 years (2) 6-12 years due to significant difference of incidence of partial seizures in the two age groups 68% belonged to 2-6 years age group, 32% belonged to 6-12 years age group. A total of 158 children were brought to Emergency service Room with partial seizures, among which 100 cases were included in the study, excluding those children falling under the exclusion criteria. Among the 100 children, 13% had simple partial seizures, 21% had partial seizures with secondary generalization, while 66% had complex partial seizures representing the largest group. 63% of the children had abnormal EEG, 75% of the children had abnormal CT brain. Both CT brain and EEG were abnormal in 60% of the cases, which shows that significant number of cases are diagnosed by CT brain and EEG. The lesions detected in CT brain in this study are neurocysticercosis (32%), tuberculoma (26%), infarct (5%), AV malformation (2%), calcifications (4%), Hydrocephalus (3%), subdural effusion (2%), brain tumor (1%). The neuroinfections namely neurotuberculoma and neurocysticercosis itself accounted for 58% of the total cases of partial seizures, 77% of the total abnormal CT brain, the ‘P’ value is 0.013 which is significant. Conclusion: In tropical developing countries like India, neuroinfections are the most common cause of partial seizures. ILAE recommends CT brain as diagnostic tool whenever MRI is unavailable or unaffordable as it provides equivalent diagnostic aid. Neuroimaging and EEG are strongly advised. Most partial seizure etiologies are treated medically or surgically in children presenting to the emergency room

Description

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