EEG findings in infarcts and hemorrhagic post-stroke seizures: A cross-sectional study

Ma. Katrina Margarita  A. Zialcita,; Maria Felicidad  A. Soto,; Amado  M. San Luis,

EEG findings in infarcts and hemorrhagic post-stroke seizures: A cross-sectional study

Ma. Katrina Margarita A. Zialcita | Maria Felicidad A. Soto | Amado M. San Luis

Abstract:

Background There is a paucity of literature dealing with post-stroke seizure EEG abnormalities and perhaps none that compares them between infarcts and hemorrhagic strokes. In this study, we aimed to find out whether EEG abnormalities were associated with the type, location and interval of stroke.

Methods In this cross-sectional study from 2008 to 2012, the EEG findings (normal, abnormal significance I-III) of post-stroke patients who had seizures were compared with the type (infarct or hemorrhage) and location (cortical, subcortical, brainstem or cerebellar) of stroke, and with the interval of stroke ictus to EEG. The location was based on neuro-imaging studies; other data were retrieved from the EEG requests and clinical records of the patients.

Results Ninety-eight patients with a mean age of 63.9 years, majority of which were females, who had infarcts, and had abnormal EEG findings, were included. Hemorrhagic strokes were significantly associated with more severe abnormalities (abnormal significance III) on EEG (P = 0.04). The location of the stroke did not show any statistically significant correlation with EEG abnormalities in our study. The time elapsed between stroke and the EEG was not significant (P = 0.09).

Conclusion The most common EEG abnormality seen on in the EEGs of post-stroke patients was intermittent focal or generalized slowing of the background and most severe EEG abnormalities were noted on EEGs of hemorrhagic stroke patients rather than infarctions. In this study, the EEG abnormality did not appear to correlate well with the location of the stroke.