Total cerebral volume is reduced in patients with localization-related epilepsy and a history of complex febrile seizures.
BACKGROUND
Febrile seizures may lead to later epilepsy. They have been associated with hippocampal atrophy but their effect on total cerebral volume is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To compare total cerebral volume in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with and without a history of complex febrile seizures (CFS).


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
Epilepsy monitoring center.


METHODS
Forty patients with localization-related epilepsy and temporal lobe onset determined by video electroencephalogram and 20 controls.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging measurement of cerebral volume.


METHODS
Total cerebral volume.


RESULTS
Patients with a history of CFS had significantly reduced total cerebral volume compared with patients without CFS. In addition, male patients with CFS had significantly lower total cerebral volume than male normal controls. There was no significant difference between patients without CFS, or all patients, and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Complex febrile seizures may have a global effect on brain development.
Theodore
William H
WH
Clinical Epilepsy Section, National Institutes of Health, Bldg 10, Room 5N-250, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. theodorw@ninds.nih.gov
DeCarli
Charles
C
Gaillard
William D
WD
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000150:complications*