ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM AND COMPUTERIZED CEREBRAL-TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS INECLAMPSIA

Objective To define more clearly the neuropathophysiology of eclampsia . Design A prospective study relating to computerised cerebral tomogra phy (CAT) scan and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings in eclampsia. S etting A large referral centre in a developing society. Subjects Thirt y-two women with eclampsia. Main outcome measures Abnormalities in EEG and CAT scan findings. Results Approximately 45% of the women studied had CAT scan abnormalities, while 90% had EEG abnormalities. A burst suppression pattern on EEG examination was found in four women suggest ing a temporary dissolution of cerebral function to the midbrain level as the cause of seizures. Conclusions EEGs are probably more sensitiv e than CAT scans in detecting the extent of the pathology in the brain in women with eclampsia.