Tuberous sclerosis complex and epilepsy: Prognostic significance of electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a disease that affects many organs, including the central nervous system. Nervous system involvement in the form of hama rtomas often results in seizures. Tn this study we wanted to determine the outcome of epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex and determine whether int erictal electroencephalograms (EEGs) and hamartoma burden as seen with magn etic resonance imaging (MRI) are predictive of degree of seizure control. T he study population consisted of 30 patients. For each patient two sets of EEG and MRI data, separated by at least 12 months, and information on seizu re frequency at time of data collection were obtained. Sensitivity, specifi city, and positive and negative predictive values of various EEG and MRI fi ndings were determined. Seizure control improved in 20 and worsened in 10 p atients. In relation to seizure control, the specificity of an abnormal sle ep EEG and the positive predictive value of normal sleep EEG were 100%. MRI and EEG background were neither sensitive nor specific for predicting seiz ure control. A majority of children with tuberous sclerosis complex can ach ieve good seizure control. The sleep EEG is helpful in predicting eventual seizure control.