Abstracts

Malformations of cortical development may present different epileptic features according to the type of the malformation. The objective of this study was to investigate clinical features of epilepsy in patients with malformations of cortical organization comparing the performance of patients with schizencephaly with patients with polymicrogyria. We studied all patients with schizencephaly and polymicrogyria diagnosed by MRI in our University Hospital. The following data were assessed: presence of epilepsy, treatment with AED (monotherapy x polytherapy), seizure control, EEG abnormalities, and diagnosis of epileptic encephalopathy (mental retardation + uncontrolled seizures). Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square and t-Student test. Forty-four patients with schizencephaly (GI) and 23 patients with polymicrogyria (GII) were studied. Age ranged from 1 to 75 years. Epilepsy was present in 26 patients of GI and in 8 of GII (p=0.058); polytherapy was required in 13 patients of GI and in 4 patients of GII (p=1); 3 patients of GI and 1 of GII had seizures controlled with AED (p=0,941); EEG abnormalities occurred in 20 patients in GI and in 6 of GII (p=0,056); epileptic encephalopathy was diagnosed in 9 patients of GI and in 3 of GII (p=0,881). Schizencephaly and polymicrogyria present similar epileptic features. This may occur because both entities belong to the same spectrum of malformations of cortical organization.