Epilepsy in Tubero Sclerosis Complex
Epilepsy in Tubero Sclerosis Complex
Epilepsy in Tubero Sclerosis Complex
SUMMARY
Objective: To describe treatment and outcome of epilepsy in children with tuberous
sclerosis complex (TSC).
Methods: Seventy-one children with TSC and epilepsy treated at the ENCORE TSC
Expertise Center between 1988 and 2014 were included. Patient characteristics and
duration and effectiveness of antiepileptic treatments were extracted from our clinical
database. Correlations were made between recurrence of seizures after response to
treatment, and several patient characteristics.
Results: Median age at time of inclusion was 9.4 years (range 0.9–18.0). Seizure history
showed that 55 children (77%) of 71 became seizure-free for longer than 1 month, and
21 (30%) of 71 for longer than 24 months. Remission of seizures was associated with
higher IQ, and a trend was observed between seizure remission and age at onset of sei-
zures. A total of 19 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were used. Valproic acid, vigabatrin, lev-
etiracetam, and carbamazepine were used most frequently. Nonpharmacologic
therapies (ketogenic diet, epilepsy surgery, and vagus nerve stimulation) were used 13
times. Epilepsy surgery was most effective, with four of five children becoming seizure-
Iris E. Overwater is a free. AEDs prescribed as first and second treatment were most effective. Valproic acid
doctoral student in was prescribed most frequently as first and second treatment, followed by vigabatrin.
pediatric neurology at Thirty-one children had infantile spasms, preceded by focal seizures in 18 children
the ENCORE TSC (58%). Vigabatrin was used by 29 children (94%), and was first treatment in 15 (48%).
Expertise Center. Vigabatrin was more effective than other AEDs when prescribed as first treatment.
Significance: We showed that, although 77% of children with epilepsy due to TSC
reached seizure remission, usually after their first or second AED, this was sustained
for at least 24 months in only 38%. Almost half of those with 24 months of remission
later had relapse of seizures. Our results support vigabatrin as first choice drug, and
show the need for better treatment options for these children.
KEY WORDS: Anticonvulsants, Infantile spasms, Intellectual disability.
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A B
Figure 1.
Proportion of children with sustained
seizure remission (n = 55). (A)
Seizure recurrence shown by age of
onset of epilepsy; 0–6 months n = 25
(45%), 7–12 months n = 12 (22%),
13 months and older n = 18 (33%).
(B) Seizure recurrence shown by
history of infantile spasms; no history
of IS n = 27 (49%) and history of IS
C D n = 28 (51%). (C) Seizure recurrence
shown by mutation type; TSC1
n = 15 (27%) and TSC2 n = 36
(65%). (D) Seizure recurrence shown
by intellectual ability; IQ ≥ 71 n = 15
(27%) and IQ ≤ 70 n = 34 (62%)
(p = 0.006).
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