Affiliations: Department of Neurology and Neurogenetics, Bangur
Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, India
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Gaurav K. Mittal, Department of Neurology
and Neurogenetics, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, 52/1A, Sambhu Nath Pandit
Street, Bhowanipur, Kolkata, 700025 India. Tel.: +91 8755943641; Fax: +91 11
45652393; E-mail: drgkmittal@gmail.com
Abstract: Malformations of cortical development (MCD) are lesions produced by
insult to the developing neocortex. MCD are frequently associated with
refractory epilepsy. Clinical and electrophysiologic findings of MCD are
variable. Our aims in this study are to identify cases of MCD in patients
having epilepsy, to study the semiology of seizure, to look for associated risk
factors and to correlate the semiology of seizure with the
electroencephalographic (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. We
studied 54 patients with MCD (from January 2011 till October 2012). Detailed
medical and family histories were obtained in addition to neurological
examinations and routine EEG evaluations. There were 29 (53.7%) males and 25
(46.3%) females, with ages ranging from 5 mo to 43 yr. The focal cortical
dysplasias cases were sixteen (29.6%), schizencephaly eight (14.8%),
polymicrogyria eight (14.8%), dysembryoblastic neuroepithelial tumor six
(11.1%), lissencephaly five (9.3%), ganglioglioma three (5.6%), heterotopias
three (5.6%), hemimegalencephaly two (3.7%), cortical hamartomas of tuberous
sclerosis two (3.7%) and mixed lesion in one (1.8%). Overall, 40 (74.1%)
cases had partial seizures. The EEG revealed interictal epileptiform discharges
in 27 (50.0%) with the rest being normal. The commonest type of MCD was the
focal cortical dysplasia. Most (74.1%) cases had focal seizures. There was
poor correlation between semiology of seizure with the EEG and MRI findings.
There was no history of any antenatal maternal infection or drug exposure. No
risk factor except for positive family history was identified.
Keywords: Epilepsy, malformations of cortical development, EEG
