Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-07T23:09:12.248Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Photosensitivity and epilepsy: a follow-up study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2004

Alberto Verrotti ,
Daniela Trotta ,
Carmela Salladini ,
Giovanna di Corcia ,
Giuseppe Latini ,
Rocco Cutarella  and
Francesco Chiarelli
Alberto Verrotti
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
Daniela Trotta
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
Carmela Salladini
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
Giovanna di Corcia
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
Giuseppe Latini
Affiliation:
Perrino Hospital, Division of Pediatrics, Brindisi, Italy.
Rocco Cutarella
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, San Valentino Hospital, San Valentino, Italy.
Francesco Chiarelli
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
Get access

Abstract

To understand the evolution of photosensitivity and to evaluate if its disappearance is related to the response to anticonvulsant therapy, we performed a long-term study of 42 patients (17 males, 25 females; age at onset 6 years 9 months, SD 5 years 2 months, range 5 years to 12 years 1 month) who had electroencephalography (EEG) evidence of photosensitive epilepsy. Of the patients, 36 were treated with valproate (VPA) monotherapy and four received VPA in combination with other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), which were carbamazepine and lamotrigine. Two patients were given no drugs, but treated with stimuli avoidance. All patients were investigated with EEG by using intermittent photic stimulation. The photoparoxysmal response indicated the presence of photosensitivity. At the end of follow-up, the photoparoxysmal response had disappeared in 25 patients. Thirty-three patients became seizure-free. Our study confirms that photosensitive epilepsy has a good prognosis for seizure control that is independent of the persistence or disappearance of photosensitivity.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology , Volume 46 , Issue 5 , May 2004 , pp. 347 - 351
Copyright
© 2004 Mac Keith Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)