Development of de novo functional seizures after epilepsy surgery

• Published in: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry Vol. 94; no. Suppl 1; p. A13
• Main Authors: Merlin, Manoj, Jackie, Foong, Sallie, Baxendale, Jane, De Tisi, A, McEovy, Anna, Miserrocchi, John, Duncan, Mahinda, Yogarajah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 28.11.2023; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Association of British Neurologists: Annual Meeting Abstracts 2023; Convulsions & seizures; Epilepsy; Surgery
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/JNNP-2023-ABN.38

BackgroundFunctional seizures (FS) (also known as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) or dis- sociative seizures) are seizures that mimic an epileptic seizure but have no associated epileptogenic EEG changes and are thought to have a psychological basis. Epilepsy surgery is an effective means of treatment for patients with drug refractory seizures, but it is important to understand the complications that can arise from surgery.ObjectiveTo identify the frequency and risk factors of de novo FS in patient after epilepsy surgeryMethodThe data based showed 1116 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery from 1998 – 2022 at a specialist Neurology hospital. They were characterised by their age, sex, duration of epilepsy before surgery, pre-operative psychiatric co- morbidities, site of surgery, and post-operative complications.Result37 patients were identified(30F, 7M). The mean age at the time of surgery was 36.2. 16 Patients had pre-operative psychiatric illness. 10 patients developed immediate post-operative complications and de novo FS an average of 9.8 months after surgery.ConclusionThe rate of development of de novo FS after epilepsy surgery is low(2.77%). Patients who develop de novo FS after surgery are predominantly females(81.1%), has pre-operative psychiatric illness diagnosed(43.2%) and immediate post-operative complications(27%).