EPILEPTIC SEIZURES: CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, AND MALIGNANT BRAIN LESIONS
Taha M. M. Hassan, Awwad Alenezy*
Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Bani-Seuif University (Egypt) & Northern Borders University (KSA), Department of family and community medicine, Northern Borders University (KSA) *.
Background: epilepsy is a common neurologic disorder affecting about 1% of the population, as well as it is a common manifestation in patients with structural brain lesions and brain tumors. In brain tumors, the incidence of fits depends on tumor type and location. Surgical treatment of epilepsy provides hope for patients who are refractory to medical therapy as well as, the prophylactic use of antiepileptic drugs in cases of brain tumors is not generally recommended. So, the histopathological diagnosis of any brain tissue removed from epileptic patients is mandatory for both choice of therapy and prognosis. The aim of this study was to analyze brain biopsies that were received from patients suffering from epileptic seizures to localize the underlying specific causes. Also, it's to study the prevalence of epilepsy according to them. As by the accurate histopathological diagnosis for the etiology, the patients can receive their treatment options on a scientific strategy. Material and methods: the archival material of 85 cases of brain biopsies were performed and collected from the Pathology Departments, King Faisal Specialized Hospital and Research Center (KFSH / RC) and Arar Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Our study revealed that 15 cases (17.6%) had neoplastic brain growth composed of primary brain tumors while, the other 70 cases (82.4%) showed non-neoplastic anomalies. So, tumors associated seizures are of lower prevalence (P < 0.001). Results: in this study the majority of cases that complained of seizures had non-neoplastic brain lesions and encompassed of 70 out of the 85 cases while, the minority of them had brain tumors. So, the plan of treatment was designated according to the underlying etiologic lesions. Conclusion: histopathological evaluation of any brain material removed from any epileptic patients is essential as it can provide neurosurgeons and neurologists with the underlying pathology. Also, in many instances the seizures are not related to brain tumors and can be managed by anti-epileptic drugs.
December 2012