ABSTRACT

We evaluated the relation of head trauma (HT) and prognosis in epilepsy patients.

A total of 124 patients (75 M, 49 F) with a mean age of 29.1±14.0 (10-74) years and with partial epileptic seizure participated in this study. The patients were retrospectively evaluated.

The mean age at HT was 11.0±11.2 (0.1-55) years and at seizure onset was 20.3±15.2 (1-74) years. Seizures started 8.7±11.4 (0-64) years after HT. The patients were grouped according to the severity of HT (mild, moderate, severe) as follows: 60.5% (n: 75) mild, 29% (n: 36) moderate and 10.5% (n: 13) severe. The neurologic examination was normal in 67.7% (n: 84) of all patients. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed normal findings in only 50% (n: 62) of the patients (p<0.03). Of all patients, 67.7% (n: 84) were on monotherapy and 32.3% (n: 40) were on polytherapy. At the end of the follow-up, 44.2% of patients were seizure-free and the seizures were moderately controlled in 46% (n: 57) of patients.

Although the severity of HT has an important role in epilepsy prognosis, many different factors may also be effective on prognosis.

Keywords: Epilepsy, traumatic head injury, prognosis