Analysis of causes, EEG features and clinical manifestation of old patients with epileptic seizures

Objective To investigate the causes, EEG features and clinical manifestations in old patients with epileptic seizures. Methods The cause, clinical seizure types and therapeutic effects were analyzed in 86 patients with epileptic seizures. Results The causes of disease were determined in 84 patients, including 52 patients with cerebral vascular, 13 patients with brain trauma, 11 patients with brain metabolic disorder, 4 patients with intracranial infection and 4 patients with brain tumor. The types of seizures included partial seizures in 51 patients, generalized seizures in 35 patients. Normal EEGs were found in 23 patients and abnormal in 63 patients, abnormal EEGs mainly showed increase of slow waves with low to middle amplitude, with diffuse of local distribution. Epileptiform discharges were found only in 15 patients of the 63 patients. The outcome of treatment were as follows: seizure free was found in 27 patients (31.4%), significant therapeutic effect was achieved in 30 patients (34.9%), no therapeutic effect was noted in 11 patients(12.8%), and death occurred in 5 patients (6.0%). Conclusions Most of old patients with epilepsy have definite cause of disease. Clinical manifestations mainly show partial seizures. Slow waves may be the background of EEGs, and EEGs showed low positive rate of epileptiform discharges. The elderly with epilepsy have a relatively good prognosis. Key words: Old people; Epilepsy; Cause of disease; Electroencephalogram; Treatment