The development of Stereo-Electroencephalography (SEEG) in Southeast Asia and Oceania: Challenges to equity across the region.

Background: Invasive/ intracranial EEG forms an important component of assessment for epilepsy surgery in many patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy (DRE). Intracranial EEG has been poorly utilized though Southeast Asia (SEA) and Oceania. This study aimed to document the development of stereo-EEG (SEEG) across the region and highlight regional barriers to utilization and access.

Self-management practice of people with epilepsy in Viet Nam and associated factors.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine (1) the self-management practice of people with epilepsy and (2) the associated factors, including sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at two neurology clinics in Ho Chi Minh City from October 2022 to June 2023. We included 147 adults with epilepsy and measured their self-management practices using the Vietnamese Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (V-ESMS).

Challenges of status epilepticus management in a resource-limited setting: A review.

Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening neurological condition with significant mortality. Rapid management is essential to minimize the mortality and disability of SE. Two recent trials provided evidence to guide SE management in early and established stages.

Fibrous Dysplasia of the Parietal Bone with Focal Motor Seizures: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Monostotic fibrous dysplasia is a benign proliferation of fibrous and osseous tissues that expand medullary bone to cause symptoms due to compression of adjacent organs and anatomical structures. Focal seizures are rarely the first sign of this kind of lesion. This report describes a young female patient with left-sided focal motor seizures associated with fibrous dysplasia presenting as a mass in the right parietal bone.

Translation and validation of the Vietnamese Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (V-ESMS).

Objectives: This study aimed to translate and validate the Vietnamese version of the Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (V-ESMS).

Methods: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the original version of the ESMS into Vietnamese followed the Principles of Good Practice for the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process for Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures guideline with "forward-backward" translation and culturally adapted. The participants were recruited consecutively at neurology clinics at Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital and University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, from January 2022 to July 2022 and required to complete the V-ESMS.

Epilepsy self-management mobile health application: A needs assessment in people with epilepsy and caregivers in Viet Nam.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine (1) the needsof Vietnamese people with epilepsy (PWE) and their caregivers for self-management mobile health applications and (2) the self-management features expected to be included in an application.

Methods: The survey consisted of an anonymous self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to PWE and caregivers from the age of 18 in Vietnam through online platforms and onsite at Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital and University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, from February 2022 to May 2022. The questionnaire assessed the participants' attitudes toward epilepsy self-management mobile applications, their willingness to use applications, and their expectations of the contents of an application.

Effect on Satisfactory Seizure Control and Heart Rate Variability of Thread-Embedding Acupuncture for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: A Patient-Assessor Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial.

This randomized controlled trial investigates the efficacy of thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) compared to sham TEA in treating drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Fifty-four DRE outpatients were randomly divided into two groups: TEA (27 patients) and sham TEA (27 patients). Both groups received four sessions of TEA or sham TEA, spaced four weeks apart, targeting GV20, GV14, BL15, BL18, ST40, and GB34 acupoints.

Affordability of newer antiseizure medications in Asian resource-limited countries.

Objective: One of the objectives of the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders for 2022 to 2031 is to ensure at least 80% of people with epilepsy (PWE) will have access to appropriate, affordable, and safe antiseizure medications (ASMs) by 2031. However, ASM affordability is a significant issue in low- and middle-income countries, preventing PWE from accessing optimal treatment. This study aimed to determine the affordability of the newer (second and third generation) ASMs in resource-limited countries in Asia.

Epilepsy surgery program in a resource-limited setting in Vietnam: A multicentered collaborative model.

Objective: Although epilepsy surgery is more effective than medical therapy for drug-resistant patients, it is underutilized in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries. In light of our efforts to establish an epilepsy surgery program in a resource-limited setting, this study aimed to determine the outcome of the epilepsy surgery program in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam.

Methods: In 2018, we developed the HCMC epilepsy core multidisciplinary team with members from various hospitals and centers.

Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9): A depression screening tool for people with epilepsy in Vietnam.

Background: Depression is a common mental disorder in people with epilepsy. Depression has a negative impact on medical and surgical treatment of epilepsy thus affecting the quality of life. Despite its high prevalence, depression has been under-recognized and treated improperly.

EEG Source Imaging (ESI) utility in clinical practice.

Epilepsy surgery is an important treatment modality for medically refractory focal epilepsy. The outcome of surgery usually depends on the localization accuracy of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) during pre-surgical evaluation. Good localization can be achieved with various electrophysiological and neuroimaging approaches.

48-hour video-EEG monitoring for epilepsy presurgical evaluation is cost-effective and safe in resource-limited setting.

Introduction: Video-EEG monitoring is one of the key investigations in epilepsy pre-surgical evaluation but limited by cost. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of a 48-hour (3-day) video EEG monitoring, with rapid pre-monitoring antiepileptic drugs withdrawal.

Material And Methods: This is a retrospective study of epilepsy cases with VEM performed in University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, from January 2012 till August 2016.

Underutilization of epilepsy surgery in ASEAN countries.

Purpose: This survey was performed to determine the availability of epilepsy surgery, and understand the limiting factors to epilepsy surgery in ASEAN countries with total of 640 million population.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was completed by national representatives in all ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam).

Results: Overall facilities for initial epilepsy pre-surgical evaluation are available in most countries, but further non-invasive and invasive investigations are limited.