Follow-up of antiepileptic drug discontinuation after seizure remission in patients with tuberous sclerosis-induced epilepsy / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics of antiepileptic drug discontinuation after seizure remission in patients with tuberous sclerosis (TS)-induced epilepsy. Methods: Of 98 epilepsy patients with TS,15 with seizure remission and subsequent antiepileptic drug discontinuation were followed up. The relapse rates of seizures and the retreatments were observed. The causes of seizure relapse were analyzed. Results :Ten(66. 7%) patients had sustained seizure remissions and 5 (33. 3%) had relapses in 15 patients after a mean follow-up of 5 years. Antiepileptic drugs was restarted in the 5 relapsed cases and were successful in a girl, leaving a total sustained remission rate of 73. 3% (11/15) and an absolute relapse rate of 26. 7% (4/15). The relapse was associated with abnormal electroencephalogram, multiple cerebral lesions and biological changes of puberty. Conclusion:The relapse rate of TS epilepsy is similar to the relapse rate of other epilepsies. Reasonable discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs should be considered in the patients who attained seizure remission.