Epilepsy profile in adult Nigerians with late onset epilepsy secondary to brain tumor

摘要

Background: Occurrence of epileptic seizure in patients with brain tumors is not uncommon. In spite of the huge data from the developed world on epilepsy caused by brain tumor, there is paucity of data emanating from Nigeria, hence, this study. Methods: The cases were recruited from a total of 302 consecutive patients with late onset epilepsy, with first episode of seizure after 25 years of age, from three tertiary centres in northern and southern Nigeria. Information was collected on the demography, seizure characteristics, and additional neurological, cognitive or behavioral symptoms. All the patients had EEG and neuroimaging. Results: Sixty six patients, comprising 48 males (73%) and 18 females (27%) had symptomatic seizure from brain tumor which constituted 21.9% of patients. Seizure was the only symptom in 27.3% and the first symptom in 36.4% of the patients. Forty five (68.2%) patients had focal seizure. The most common histological type was low grade astrocytoma. Common EEG findings were epileptiform discharges (54.5%) and focal slowing (24.2%). EEG was normal in 10.6% of the patients.