Discordant electroencephalogram epileptiform activity and hemispherectomy in children with refractory epilepsy and encephaloclastic lesions: a case series.

This is a case series of six children with unilateral cerebral palsy and hemispheric encephaloclastic lesions who were evaluated for epilepsy surgery. Seizure onset was in the neonatal period in three children, at 17 months in two, and at 5 years in one. Their ictal and interictal electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities showed paradoxical lateralization to the incorrect/'normal' hemisphere or showed bilateral abnormalities.

Inter-rater reliability of amplitude-integrated EEG for the detection of neonatal seizures.

Background: Amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) is being used increasingly for seizure detection in neonates. However, data regarding inter-rater reliability among neonatologists for the use of aEEG for the detection of neonatal seizures is lacking.

Methods: Term and late-preterm infants at risk of seizures were monitored simultaneously with 24-h video-electroencephalography (vEEG) and aEEG.

Intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring in scoliosis surgery in children.

Objective: Intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring (INM) is thought to reduce the risk of postoperative neurological deficits in children undergoing scoliosis and spine deformity surgery. INM is being used increasingly despite conflicting opinions, varied results, non-standard alarm criteria and concern regarding cost effectiveness. In this paper we present our experience with INM in scoliosis and spine deformation surgery in children, propose alert criteria and preferred anaesthetics in clinical practice.

Paediatric new-onset seizure clinic in Australia: Experience and lessons learnt.

Aim: A new-onset seizure clinic (NOSC) was established at our hospital in 2011, with the aim to provide accurate diagnosis and appropriate management to children with new-onset seizures or seizure mimics.

Methods: We report on the data analysis of the first 200 children seen in NOSC. A paediatric neurologist or paediatric/neurology trainee under supervision of a neurologist reviewed all the children.

Amplitude Integrated Electroencephalography Compared With Conventional Video EEG for Neonatal Seizure Detection: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

This diagnostic accuracy study compared the accuracy of seizure detection by amplitude-integrated electroencephalography with the criterion standard conventional video EEG in term and near-term infants at risk of seizures. Simultaneous recording of amplitude-integrated EEG (2-channel amplitude-integrated EEG with raw trace) and video EEG was done for 24 hours for each infant. Amplitude-integrated EEG was interpreted by a neonatologist; video EEG was interpreted by a neurologist independently.

Seizure outcomes in children with epilepsy after resective brain surgery.

Purpose: To assess the role of resective brain surgery in childhood epilepsy.

Methodology: We retrospectively analysed the seizure outcomes in 55 children with epilepsy who had resective brain surgery between 1997 and 2012, at our centre. The children were 1.

Classification of clinical semiology in epileptic seizures in neonates.

The clinical semiology of 61 neonatal seizures with EEG correlates, in 24 babies was analysed. Most seizures (89%) had multiple features during the EEG discharge. The seizures were classified using the prominent clinical feature at onset, and all features seen during the seizure, using an extended classification scheme.

Fast activity during EEG seizures in neonates.

Introduction: Paroxysmal fast activity (FA) has been proposed as a marker for epileptic networks. We explore the presence and significance of ictal FA on scalp video EEG seizures (EEG Sz) recorded in neonates.

Methodology: Forty two babies had 159 EEG Szs.

Ictal electroencephalograms in neonatal seizures: characteristics and associations.

The characteristics of ictal electroencephalograms in 160 neonatal seizures of 43 babies were correlated with mortality and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Neonatal seizures are focal at onset, most frequently temporal, and often occur during sleep. Twenty-one percent of babies with seizures died, and 76% of survivors manifested neurodevelopmental impairment during 2-6-year follow-up.

Brief electroencephalography rhythmic discharges (BERDs) in the neonate with seizures: their significance and prognostic implications.

We aimed to explore the significance and prognostic implications of paroxysmal brief electroencephalography (EEG) rhythmic discharges (BERDs) in neonatal seizures. The 52 neonates in this study were divided into 3 groups: (1) BERDs only: 9 neonates, (2) BERDs + conventional EEG seizures: 11 babies, (3) Conventional EEG seizures only: 32 babies. We analyzed the BERDs and compared outcomes in the 3 groups: there was no significant difference in mortality and neurodevelopmental or background EEG impairment.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates with seizures: a numerical score of background encephalography to help prognosticate.

There is a high incidence of mortality and neurodevelopmental sequelae in babies with neonatal seizures. The electroencephalography (EEG) background has been shown to be an excellent predictor of outcome by most studies, with a few suggesting limited value in prognostication. Previous studies suggest poor prognosis with severely abnormal backgrounds, but prediction was difficult with moderate abnormalities.