230 Does Electroencephlography Help in Early Diagnosis of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Abstract

Background: To find out the role of electroencephlography in the early diagnosis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. It will be a cross sectional observational study conducted at department of Neurology Children's Hospital, Lahore from April 15, 2005 to September 15, 2009.

Methods: Children between the ages of 4 to 18 years (n=129) with myoclonic jerks were admitted in Neurology department. History and clinical examination was carried out and EEG and CSF antimeasles antibodies were performed. Children may have EEG findings consistent with SSPE (EEG abnormalities having burst suppression in high amplitude slow and sharp waves recur at 3-5 second interval on slow background) or other EEG findings like myoclonic epilepsy with normal back ground, normal EEG etc. CSF of all children was sent for antimeasles antibodies for further confirmation which was considered diagnostic. Brain imaging was done in all children to exclude other possible diagnosis.

Results: Total of 59 patients with EEG findings of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis were further confirmed with CSF anti measles antibodies. It was positive in 57 children. (P value < 0.05). While ten children had negative EEG findings and all of them had negative results for CSF antimeasles antibodies.

Conclusion: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is not an uncommon entity in our population with quite variable clinical presentation and electroencephlography has significant valve in early, cost effective and reliable diagnosis.

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