title: Seizures and multiple sclerosis in Chinese patients: a clinical and magnetic resonance imaging study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epileptic seizures in Chinese patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have not been studied extensively. We investigated the clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings for Chinese patients with MS who had experienced seizures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 93 (57.4%) patients were diagnosed as having conventional MS and 69 (42.6%) patients as having neuromyelitis optica (NMO) over 20 years. Data on clinical symptoms, related examinations, and treatment were analyzed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients (8.6%), all of whom were female, had seizures during the course of relapsing-remitting MS. One had seizures as the presenting symptom of MS. The seizure type was focal onset in all the 8 patients, 6 of whom had secondarily generalized seizures. Only 1 patient was recorded as having focal epileptiform discharges by electroencephalography. The frequency of seizures was significantly higher in patients with recurrent seizures than in those with acute-MS-related seizures. Diffuse or extensive lesions were observed in acute-MS-related seizures; focal persistent lesions were related to recurrent seizures or even status epilepticus, both of which need long-term antiepileptic medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The seizure courses (acute or recurrent) and distribution of lesions (diffuse or localized) might provide information on seizure recurrence and decide antiepileptic treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, #5 Fu-Shing Road, Guishan Township, Taoyuan County, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Mei-Yun
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Yau-Yau
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Wai
authors.forename: Long-Sun
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Ro
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044466:Asian People; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants