Pattern of electroencephalographic abnormalities in children with hydrocephalus: a study of 68 patients.
The pattern of electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities was studied in 68 patients (41 male, 27 female, age range 1 month to 17 years) with hydrocephalus. They all had standardized EEG recordings, which were read by the same electroencephalographer. In 48 children the EEG was performed after ventriculo-peritoneal shunting. The EEG abnormalities in the shunted group included slow waves in 26 patients [focal 2 (4.2%), generalized asynchronous 22 (45.8%), generalized synchronous 2 (4.2%)]; amplitude abnormalities in 2 (focal 1, generalized 1); epileptiform activity in 26 [partial 11 (22.9%), generalized 15 (31.3%)] and hypsarrhythmia in 4 (8.3%). Only 4 (8.3%) traces were normal, giving an overall percentage abnormality of 92%. In the unshunted group generalized asynchronous slow waves were found in 12 patients (60%), generalized amplitude abnormality in 1, focal epileptiform activity in 3 (15%), and generalized epileptiform activity in 6 (30%); 2 tracings in this group were normal, giving an overall percentage abnormality of 90%. Hydrocephalus in children, regardless of the cause, may be associated with generalized or focal EEG abnormalities. This may reflect the heterogeneity of the neural generator in the underlying disease process.
Al-Sulaiman
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AA
Department of Neurology, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia.
Ismail
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HM
D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period