ABSTRACT

In this retrospective study, frequency of seizure clustering and occurrence of status epilepticus were investigated in patients with drug resistant focal epilepsy who were admitted in long term video-EEG monitoring unit (VEM) for presurgical evaluation.

The VEM records of 49 patients (26 female, 23 male; mean age 26.35±10.2 years) between April 2004-April 2008 were reviewed.

Although there was no status epilepticus occured, seizure clustering was observed in 21 (%42.9) patients during VEM.

Seizure clustering was common during presurgical VEM. The risk of seizure clustering might be reduced with a slow antiepileptic drugs tapering protocol and to avoid changing the presently used benzodiazepine dosage.

Keywords: Antiepileptic drugs, drug resistant epilepsy, seizure clustering, status epilepticus, video-EEG monitoring