Coexistence of ectopic rhythms and periodic EEG pattern in anoxic encephalopathy.
In this paper, we reported unique EEG patterns in two patients with anoxic encephalopathy. In the patient with a longer survival, the early EEG showed: suppression-burst pattern and theta pattern coma during quiet states; and quasi-periodic, generalized, epileptiform discharges associated with alpha-theta pattern coma during periods of arousal. A second EEG showed a disappearance of suppression-burst pattern and alpha coma. A third EEG demonstrated a disappearance of quasi-periodic epileptiform discharges. Such distinct evolution of the electroencephalogram was associated clinically with increased responsiveness despite a fatal course of illness. The second patient who had a more dramatic course, had an EEG immediately preceding death, which showed a combination of periodic pattern and theta pattern coma.
D000368:Aged; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003128:Coma / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D013826:Theta Rhythm