Evidence-Based Neurology
CATEGORY: Epilepsy

Levetiracetam was effective and well-tolerated as add-on therapy for the treatment of partial epilepsy
Date appraised: October 2007
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Risks for developing epilepsy within 2 years after an initial febrile seizure was higher in children with neurodevelopmental abnormalities, a greater number of subsequent febrile seizures, and the presence of complex features in the febrile seizure
Date appraised: January 2007
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Prophylactic anti-epileptic medication prevented early but not late seizures after acute head injury
Date appraised: March 2005
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There was no good evidence to guide optimum initial management of refractory status epilepticus
Date appraised: September 2003
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In patients with temporal-lobe epilepsy, surgery was superior to prolonged medical therapy, at one-year follow-up.
Date appraised: March 2002
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Vagus nerve stimulation was moderately effective in reducing medically refractory partial seizures in the short term
Date appraised: November 2001
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Although generalized non-convulsive status epilepticus was associated with higher mortality in elderly, ICU patients, the severity of the underlying illness predicted the outcome.
Date appraised: October 2001
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In the treatment of status epilepticus, there was no significant difference in outcomes with lorazepam, diazepam plus phenytoin, or phenobarbital.
Date appraised: October 2000
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There was no difference in efficacy and tolerability between Lamotrigine and Carbamazepine in newly diagnosed partial or generalized epilepsy.
Date appraised: February 2000
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In patients with newly diagnosed supratentorial brain tumour without seizures there was no role for anticonvulsant prophylaxis.
Date appraised: May 1999
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The overall risk of developing a post-stroke seizure is 5.7% (3.5-7.9) at 1 year, and 11.5% (4.8-18.2) at 5 years.
Date appraised: October 1998
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In patients who have been seizure free for 2 years, slow withdrawal of anti-epileptic medication increases their risk of seizure recurrence by at least 19% at 2 years.
Date appraised: August 1998
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In healthy adults with a first generalized seizure and normal neurologic exam, the diagnostic yield (etiologically relevant) of outpatient investigations is: CT head=5%, EEG=60%, LABS=5%.
Date appraised: August 1998
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There seems to be no significant difference among the new AED's effectiveness as add-on therapy for refractory partial seizures.
Date appraised: August 1998
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Benzodiazepines are best for managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms and reducing the incidence of delirium and seizures.
Date appraised: May 1998
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On average the likelihood of becoming seizure-free in "childhood absence epilepsy" is 50%.
Date appraised: July 1997
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