What is the meaning of epileptiform discharge?

Epileptiform discharges were defined as generalized polyspikes, polyspike-wave, and spike-wave occurring in the forms of a single discharge or a burst. The duration of discharges was measured manually with a tool provided in the EEG software.

Does epileptiform discharges mean epilepsy?

The name benign epileptiform transients of sleep (BETS) belies its clinical signifance. Seen in temporal regions during drowsiness or sleep as small spikes/discharges without slow wave; similar discharges can be associated with epilepsy when they are frequent, consistently unilateral, or associated with focal slowing.

What is the meaning of epileptiform?

Epileptiform refers to spike waves, sharp waves, spike and wave activity, or other rhythmic waveforms that imply epilepsy or may be associated with epilepsy. However, epileptiform activity alone does not confirm a diagnosis of epilepsy.

What do epileptiform discharges feel like?

Interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs), meaning spikes, polyspikes, sharp waves, or spike and slow-wave complexes without observed clinical seizures, are commonly observed in children with epilepsy. Neuropsychological evidence indicates that childhood epilepsy often has negative effects on cognitive function [2].

What causes an epileptiform discharge?

The most common cause of PLEDs is an acute or subacute structural injury of the cerebral cortex, either diffuse or focal; however, PLEDs may also be seen in patients with a chronic static cerebral lesion or chronic epilepsy.

What does no epileptiform discharges mean?

Conclusions: In patients without epileptiform abnormalities during the first 4 hours of recording, no seizures were subsequently detected. Therefore, EEG features early in the recording may indicate a low risk for seizures, and help determine whether extended monitoring is necessary.

Do all patients with epileptiform discharges have seizures?

Only 33% of patients showed clear epileptiform abnormalities on routine EEG (45% with sleep). Forty two patients showed a clear ictal discharge on polysomnography. Mean seizure frequency was 20 /- 11/month, with only 34% reporting rare seizures during daytime wakefulness.

Do you treat epileptiform discharges?

Although there is no solid evidence for or against treatment of EDs, a non-evidence based practical approach is suggested. EDs in otherwise asymptomatic individuals should not be treated as the risks of treatment probably outweigh its dubious benefits.

What is epileptiform activity in brain?

“Epileptiform: describes transient background activity with characteristic spikes, sharp waves, spike slow-wave or sharp slow-wave complexes of focal or generalized distribution” and the background abnormality not matched with the state and age of the child.

What is epileptiform brain activity?

What causes epileptiform?

Epilepsy happens as a result of abnormal electrical brain activity, also known as a seizure, kind of like an electrical storm inside your head. And because your brain controls so much, a lot of different things can go wrong. You may have periods of unusual behaviors, feelings and sometimes loss of awareness.

Should epileptiform discharges be treated?