Clinical presentation of epilepsy among adult Sudanese epileptic patients seen in Sheik, Mohamed Kheirs Friday epileptic clinic-Sudan

ABSTRACT

To study the pattern of clinical presentation of epilepsy among adult Sudanese epileptic patients. 120 patients with epilepsy were included in a prospective cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at Sheik Mohamed Kheir Friday Epileptic Clinic. May 2003- Oct 2006. Males were [54.15%] while females were [45.85%]. In 80 patients [67%] no cause was identified. Cerebrovascular accident was found to be the commonest risk factor, 24 patients [20%] had a family history of epilepsy. 103 patients had generalized epilepsy while 18 patients had focal epilepsy. The prodromal symptoms and neurological signs were common among patients with partial epilepsy. 78 patients [64.8%] showed abnormal EEG. 12 patients [10%] with generalize epilepsy had abnormal CT of the brain, while 50% of those who had focal epilepsy had abnormal CT of the brain. Generalized epilepsy is more common than partial epilepsy. Prodromal symptoms and neurological signs were common among patients with partial epilepsy. EEG and CT Brain play an important role in supporting the diagnosis of epilepsy