Publications by authors named "Mashael AlKhateeb"
Background: Epilepsy frequently accompanies Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Notably, people with temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis may face an increased susceptibility to MDD, as evidence indicates the involvement of the limbic system in the development of emotional symptoms.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and predictors of depression in temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) and compare them to those of other epilepsy types.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to analyze trends in Antiseizure Medication (ASM) use and the frequency of Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) in patients with and without concurrent epileptic seizures.
- A review of 145 patients indicated that those with just PNES had a higher likelihood of reducing or stopping ASMs compared to those with both PNES and epilepsy, especially noticeable over several years of follow-up.
- While both groups showed initial reductions in PNES spells, the long-term outcomes revealed fluctuating patterns, with no significant difference in spell frequency reduction between the two groups at the final follow-up point.
Background And Objectives: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are commonly associated with co-existing psychiatric disorders. The relationship between psychiatric factors and PNES episodes with and without epilepsy remains understudied. We reviewed co-existing psychiatric disorders in PNES-only, PNES with epilepsy aiming to examine whether these co-existing disorders associated with PNES clinical presentation and long-term outcomes.
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- The study analyzed factors influencing the reduction or discontinuation of anti-seizure medications (ASMs) in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) who also had suspected epilepsy (ES).
- Patients who experienced a reduction in PNES were more likely to stop all ASMs and had a lower incidence of documented generalized seizures compared to those without PNES reduction.
- Key predictors of PNES reduction included higher education levels, younger age at admission, and the absence of generalized epilepsy, while a greater number of ASMs at admission and the presence of other neurological disorders were linked to ASM reduction.
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are the main differential diagnosis of pharmacorresistant epilepsy. Achieving the certainty in the diagnosis of PNES may be challenging, especially in the 10-22% of cases in which PNES and epilepsy co-exist. This difficulty hampers the management of these patients.
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- The study examines the challenges in diagnosing comorbid epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), which affect 12-22% of patients with PNES, and aims to identify distinguishing baseline characteristics among different patient groups.
- After analyzing 271 patients, it was found that those with PNES and definite epilepsy were more likely to have a history of febrile seizures, brain lesions, and developmental disabilities, while patients with PNES-only experienced longer seizures and had more comorbid health issues.
- Key predictive factors for having both PNES and epilepsy included previous febrile seizures and specific seizure duration, with significant differences in demographics and health history observed between the PNES-only and comorb
Objective: To compare the rate of EEG and MRI abnormalities in psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) patients with and without suspected epilepsy. Patients were also compared in terms of their demographic and clinical profiles.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 271 newly diagnosed PNES patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit between May 2000 and April 2008, with follow-up clinical data collected until September 2015.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to compare two surgical techniques—vertical parasagittal and lateral peri-insular/peri-Sylvian hemispherotomy—specifically to see which is better for achieving long-term seizure freedom in patients.* -
- Data from 672 participants indicated that 62.4% achieved seizure freedom over 10 years, with the vertical approach showing higher long-term success rates: 88.8% at 1 year, diminishing to 85.5% at 5 and 10 years, while the lateral approach saw a decline from 89.2% to 57.2% over the same periods.* -
- The analysis revealed that the vertical technique had a significant advantage in maintaining seizure freedom over
Objective: To describe the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of epilepsy in Arab countries.
Methods: In this systematic review, electronic databases including PubMed, ProQuest Public Health and Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant English articles published until April 2020. The search was conducted to cover all 22 Arab countries.
Objectives: To utilize our tertiary center's experience with Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and Temporal plus epilepsy (TPE) cases and determine whether a correlation exists between ictal semiology signs, their localization/lateralization value after intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, and surgical outcomes.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among epilepsy patients who underwent resective surgery for TLE or TPE after intracranial EEG monitoring between January 2008 and December 2018 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were retrieved for 464 patients; 181 had intracranial electrode monitoring.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to identify factors that predict improvement in Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) and the ability to stop anti-seizure medications (ASM) in patients exclusively diagnosed with PNES.
- The research included a cohort of 109 patients diagnosed through video-EEG telemetry, revealing that younger age, employment status, and personal relationships were associated with better outcomes in PNES frequency and resolution.
- Remarkably, patients who successfully discontinued ASM tended to have more children, fewer structural brain issues, and a greater reduction in ASM during their stay in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit.
Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome associated with tuberous sclerosis complex and CNS involvement.
Neurosciences (Riyadh)
April 2021
Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare disorder that is characterized by multiple dome-shaped cutaneous venous malformations on the skin and visceral organs. Typical extra-cutaneous lesions have the appearance of blueish nipple-shaped nodules that can easily compress and refill. We described a rare case of a 23-year-old female with BRBNS and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) that presented with central nervous system (CNS) involvement including unprovoked focal impaired awareness seizure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To analyze the surgical outcome in non-lesional intractable focal epilepsies in our center and to find possible predictors for better outcome.
Methods: This is a retrospective study for 40 adult patients with intractable focal epilepsy following at KFSHRC-Riyadh, who underwent presurgical evaluation followed by resective surgery and continued follow up for a minimum of 2 years. The surgery outcome was evaluated based on the type of surgical procedure and histopathology results.
Objective: To examine the lateralizing value of unilateral peri-ictal and interictal headaches in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy (DRFE).
Methods: Four-hundred consecutive patients undergoing presurgical evaluation for DRFE were interviewed. Patients with headache were broadly divided into two groups: peri-ictal and interictal headache.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of frontal disconnection surgery in seizure control and related consequences in a consecutive patient series.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent frontal disconnection surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Baseline epilepsy characteristics, detailed presurgical evaluation including epileptogenic zone (EZ) localization, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection of epileptogenic lesion, and pathological findings were reviewed.
BACKGROUND Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune, demyelinating, inflammatory disorder affecting the central nervous system, mostly targeting optic nerves and the spinal cord. NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a newly revised nomenclature in which new diagnostic criteria have been developed, including serological testing of serum aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) antibodies. Results of a negative antibody will group the patient in a seronegative subgroup.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNew-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is a drug-resistant status epilepticus that often has a catastrophic outcome. Our patient was diagnosed with NORSE and had an EEG reading that showed status epilepticus persisting for 8 months in general anesthesia. After autoimmune workup showed positive antiphospholipid antibodies, his seizure was controlled, and he was discharged with good condition apart from moderate cognitive impairment.
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- Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is a rare condition marked by underdeveloped optic nerves, pituitary issues, and defects in certain brain structures, which can sometimes lead to drug-resistant epilepsy.
- This report examines six SOD patients who also faced malformations of cortical development (MCD) and had drug-resistant epilepsy, documented during video-EEG telemetry from 1998 to 2016.
- Out of these patients, three underwent surgical procedures including neocortical resection, functional hemispherectomy, and vagus nerve stimulation to address their epilepsy, with discussions on their clinical outcomes.