Acute Symptomatic Seizures and Provoked Seizures: to Treat or Not to Treat?

Acute Symptomatic Seizures and Provoked Seizures: to Treat or Not to Treat?
Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2018 Aug 23;20(10):41
Authors: Gunawardane N, Fields M
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Acute symptomatic and provoked seizures by definition occur in close proximity to an event and are considered to be situational. The treatment implications and likelihood of recurrence of acute symptomatic and provoked seizures differ from unprovoked seizures. In this article, the authors review the literature on acute symptomatic and provoked seizures with regard to therapeutic approach and risk of recurrence.
RECENT FINDINGS: In the acute period, patients who suffer from acute symptomatic and provoked seizures have higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Patients with acute symptomatic seizures in the setting of certain conditions including subdural hemorrhage, traumatic penetrating injuries, cortical strokes, neurocysticercosis, venous sinus thrombosis, and viral encephalitis have a higher rate of seizure recurrence although the rate of recurrence of seizures is less than that of patients with unprovoked seizures. In patients with acute symptomatic and provoked seizures, short-term treatment with anti-seizure medications is appropriate given the higher morbidity and mortality in the acute phase of illness. In patients with acute symptomatic seizures with persistent epileptiform activity on EEG and structural changes on imaging, longer-term...

Source: Epilepsy Curr - August 23, 2018 Category: Neurology Authors: Gunawardane N, Fields M Tags: Curr Treat Options Neurol Source Type: research