Clinical, brain imaging, and electroencephalogram evaluation of cases of cerebral palsy with epilepsy

Abstract

Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is a chronic disorder of movement and posture. It is the result of a nonprogressive damage of immature nervous system caused by several factors that have occurred in prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal periods. Epilepsy is one of the most common problems among patients with CP. Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate patients with epileptic CP by clinical findings, electroencephalogram (EEG), as well as cranial MRI findings. Patients and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 patients, seen at pediatric neurology clinics at Al-Azhar University Hospitals. All patients were subjected to detailed medical history, detailed general and neurological examination, EEG, and MRI brain. Result Spastic quadriplegia was the most common type, seen in 29 (41.4%) cases. Generalized tonic–clonic seizure was the most common type of convulsion in our cases (42.9%). EEG abnormalities were commonly seen in CP with epilepsy (78.6%). The most common MRI scan abnormalities in epileptic children with CP were brain atrophy. Conclusion Spastic quadriplegia is the most common type of CP associated with seizures. EEG is a useful tool in detecting types of electrical discharges. MRI is the most useful tool in detecting the etiology of CP.