The natural history of late-onset epilepsy secondary to vascular disease.
Twenty-nine patients with late-onset epilepsy were followed prospectively for a mean period of 4.9 years; 14 had CT evidence of occult cerebral infarction and 15 had normal scans. The prognosis was similar in the 2 groups; 57% and 53% respectively became seizure-free. One patient in each group had a myocardial infarction and one patient with occult cerebrovascular disease had a stroke. A separate study was made of the prognosis of 24 patients with epilepsy following stroke (mean follow-up 5.9 years). Twelve of 12 patients with seizure onset within 2 weeks of the stroke became seizure-free, compared with 7/12 with more delayed onset. Late-onset epilepsy has a favourable prognosis, and excellent control should be expected if seizures commence within 2 weeks of stroke.
Fish
D R
DR
University Department of Clinical Neurology, National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, London, United Kingdom.
Miller
D H
DH
Roberts
R C
RC
Blackie
J D
JD
Gilliatt
R W
RW
D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged