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Gelastic seizures: Incidence, clinical and EEG features in adult patients undergoing video‐ EEG telemetry
Author(s) -
Kovac Stjepana,
Diehl Beate,
Wehner Tim,
Fois Chiara,
Toms Nathan,
Walker Matthew C.,
Duncan John S.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/epi.12868
Subject(s) - gelastic seizure , hippocampal sclerosis , semiology , electroencephalography , epilepsy , temporal lobe , epilepsy surgery , medicine , psychology , anesthesia , neuroscience , hypothalamic hamartoma , precocious puberty , hormone
Summary This study aimed to determine clinical features of adult patients with gelastic seizures recorded on video –electroencephalography (EEG) over a 5‐year period. We screened video‐ EEG telemetry reports for the occurrence of the term “gelastic” seizures, and assessed the semiology, EEG features, and duration of those seizures. Gelastic seizures were identified in 19 (0.8%) of 2,446 admissions. The presumed epileptogenic zone was in the hypothalamus in one third of the cases, temporal lobe epilepsy was diagnosed in another third, and the remainder of the cases presenting with gelastic seizures were classified as frontal, parietal lobe epilepsy or remained undetermined or were multifocal. Gelastic seizures were embedded in a semiology, with part of the seizure showing features of automotor seizures. A small proportion of patients underwent epilepsy surgery. Outcome of epilepsy surgery was related to the underlying pathology; two patients with hippocampal sclerosis had good outcomes following temporal lobe resection and one of four patients with hypothalamic hamartomas undergoing gamma knife surgery had a good outcome.