Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: Paroxysmal fast activity (PFA) is defined by fast paroxysmal events in the electroencephalogram (EEG), usually associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Our aims were to verify the frequency of LGS and non-LGS in EEGs with PFA; and to correlate the EEG features (spatial distribution, frequency, amplitude and duration) between the two clinical groups.


Methods: We analyzed 38 EEG tracings with PFA from 38 patients. We evaluated the spatial distribution, frequency, amplitude and duration of fast paroxysms. The two clinical groups (LGS and non-LGS) were statistically compared relative to the EEG data.


Results: With regard to epileptic syndromes, 23 patients (60%) were classified as LGS and 15 patients (40%) as non-LGS. Concerning spatial distribution, our results showed that 86.8% of the examinations showed symmetrical PFA and 13.2% showed asymmetrical PFA. The statistical analysis did not show any difference between the two groups regarding the EEG spatial distribution or other EEG data.


Conclusions: PFA can occur in other epileptic syndromes apart from LGS. The EEG features did not offer any distinction between the two clinical groups. The PFA is not a specific EEG marker of LGS.


 

Keywords

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome EEG paroxysmal fast activity

Article Details

Author Biography

Marilisa M Guerreiro, State University of Campinas (Unicamp)

Head, Department of Neurology

Chair, Child Neurology Unit

How to Cite
Bento, C. M., Coan, A. C., & Guerreiro, M. M. (2019). Paroxysmal fast activity: Does this EEG pattern occur only in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome?. Journal of the International Child Neurology Association, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.17724/jicna.2019.151

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