Course of epilepsy in patients with clinical manifestations of cranio-cerebral imbalance and a low scf-cranial index

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the course of epilepsy in patients with signs of cranio-cerebral imbalance with a low CSF-cranial index.

Materials and methods. We conducted a prospective analysis of clinical, instrumental and laboratory data from the case histories of 78 patients with epileptic seizures (cryptogenic epilepsy). Group I included 36 patients with normal reserve CSF volumes and physiological values of the CSF-cranial index; these patients received standard multicomponent therapy. Group II was comprised of 42 patients with abnormally small reserve CSF spaces and a lower than normal CSF-cranial index; patients in group II received the same treatment as did patients in group I.

Results. We found a moderate correlation between the head circumference and the values of the CSF-cranial index. A strong correlation between the seizure occurrence rate and the values of the CSF-cranial index was also found (R=0.32, p=0.0043); the seizure rate correlation with the head circumference was less obvious (R=0.11, p=0.037). Most of the patients in group I had bilateral seizures, whereas in patients of group II the seizures were of a mixed character.

Conclusion. The results of this clinical study suggest that the course of epilepsy in patients with a low CSF-cranial index is determined by the severity of anatomical reduction in the CSF dynamics; in most cases of a low CSF-cranial index, the course of epilepsy is severe. These findings should be considered at the starting and the later stages of antiepileptic therapy.