Characteristics and the clinical course of epilepsy in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex

Abstract

Aim: Epilepsy is the most common neurological problem in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical features and prognosis of epilepsy associated with TSC and to determine the factors that may affect the course of epilepsy in TSC patients. Material and Method: Our study included 21 TSC patients (11/10: M/F) aged between 1-14 years (7.5 +/- 4.2) and followed up for 9 months-10 years because of epileptic seizures. After epileptic seizures were classified as seizures with good and poor prognosis, they were were statistically compared in terms of age at seizure onset, history of status and infantile spasms, initial treatment with vigabatrin, initial EEG findings, presence of autism or mental retardation or cognitive impairment, the number of cortical tubers and presence of astrocytoma. Results: The age at seizure onset ranged between 3 days and 2.5 years. The most common seizure type in our patients was partial seizure and eight patients had infantile spasms and status epilepticus. As a result of follow-up, the prognosis was evaluated as poor in 11 and good in 10 patients. No statistical relationship was found between seizure prognosis and age at seizure onset (younger and older than 1 age), the history of status and infantile spasms, initial EEG findings, use of vigabatrin as the first drug, the presence of autism or mental retardation or cognitive impairment, the number and localization of cortical tubers and the presence of astrocytoma (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The prognosis of epilepsy in patients with TSC varies in each patient depending on several factors. For this reason close follow-up of these patients with clinical evaluation and EEG is required.