Chandra Sekhar Kondapalli1 , Ravikanth Kasaraneni2 , Praveen Puttiboina3
BACKGROUND The present study was conducted to determine the incidence of partial seizures in children 5 - 15 years of age and evaluate EEG and CT scan as diagnostic tools in partial seizures in children. METHODS This is a hospital based observational study done for 2 years among children in the age group of 5 - 15 years presenting with focal seizures. Children presenting to our hospital with focal seizures defined as per International League against Epilepsy Classification formed the study group. A total of 87 patients were included. Children were investigated for the aetiology of focal seizures with routine and specific investigations including Mantoux test, CSF analysis, blood sugar, neuroimaging CT scan and/or MRI and EEG. All the findings were recorded in a pre-designed proforma and results were analysed. MRI was done in cases where differentiating NCC from tuberculoma by CT scan was a diagnostic dilemma and also in cases where CT was inconclusive. EEG was done in all cases. In all these children, appropriate standard treatment protocol was carried out. RESULTS The incidence of focal seizures was more common in between 5-10 years of age. Female to Male ratio was 1.12:1. CT evaluation of the patient showed that 93% of the patients had a lesion in the brain. Infections were the major cause of focal seizures. NCC and Tuberculoma were the major causes. Abnormal EEG pattern was seen in majority of the cases of 66%. CONCLUSIONS Focal seizures are one of the commonest type of seizures seen in children, associated with a localized lesion in the brain. Infective causes are the major aetiological factors.
