Uğur Işık

EEG abnormalities and epilepsy in autistic spectrum disorders: Clinical and familial correlates

Our aim was to examine the characteristics of EEG findings and epilepsy in autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and the associated clinical and familial risk factors. Fifty-seven children (86% male) with ASD, mean age 82+/-36.2 months, were included in the study. Thirty-nine (68.4%) children had the diagnosis of autism, 15 (26.3%) had Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, and 3 (5.3%) had high-functioning autism. One hour of sleep and/or awake EEG recordings was obtained for each child. All patients were evaluated with respect to clinical and familial characteristics and with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, the Autism Behavior Checklist, and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist. The frequency of interictal epileptiform EEG abnormalities (IIEAs) was 24.6% (n=14), and the frequency of epilepsy was 14.2% (n=8). IIEAs were associated with a diagnosis of epilepsy (P=0.0001), Childhood Autism Rating Scale Activity scores (P=0.047), and a history of asthma and allergy (P=0.044). Epilepsy was associated with a family history of epilepsy (P=0.049) and psychiatric problems in the mother during pregnancy (P=0.0026). Future studies with larger samples will help to clarify the possible associations of epilepsy/IIEAs with asthma/allergy, hyperactivity, and familial factors in ASD.

The Prevalence of Headache and Its Association With Socioeconomic Status Among Schoolchildren in Istanbul, Turkey

Objective.— The etiology and pathogenesis of migraine and other types of headache are still under discussion. An interaction of organic, psychological, and psychosocial factors is operative. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of headache and its association with socioeconomic status among schoolchildren.

Association of sleep duration with socio‐economic status and behavioural problems among schoolchildren

Aim:  In this population‐based study, we aimed to determine the total sleep duration (TSD), its association with socio‐economic status (SES) and behavioural symptoms among schoolchildren.

Reversible EEG changes during rotavirus gastroenteritis

Rotavirus can cause seizures and encephalopathy in infants and young children. We report reversible EEG abnormalities in a 2 year and 7 month old boy who had a single seizure during rotavirus gastroenteritis. His EEG showed bilateral independent temporoparietal sharp waves. The EEG was normal 10 days after the first EEG and the patient has been followed with no neurological sequelae. The EEG literature in children developing seizures secondary to rotavirus infection including ours suggest the involvement of mostly posterior cerebral areas. The localization and reversibility of the process can enlighten the pathophysiology underlying this disorder.

Cluster headaches simulating parasomnias

Nocturnal episodes of agitated arousal in otherwise healthy young children are often related to nonrapid eye movement parasomnias (night terrors). However, in patients with acute onset or increased frequency of parasomnias, organic causes of discomfort must be excluded. We report four young children whose parasomnias were caused by nocturnal cluster headaches and who responded to indomethacin dramatically.

Surgical treatment of polymicrogyria with advanced radiologic and neurophysiologic techniques

IntroductionCoexistence of multiple seizure types, inclusion of the motor cortex in the epileptogenic zone, and poor delimitation of the abnormal cortex make most patients with polymicrogyria (PMG) unlikely candidates for epilepsy surgery (Guerrini R et al., Epilepsy and malformations of the cerebral cortex in Epileptic syndromes in infancy, childhood and adolescence, 2005).Case reportWe present here a child with frontal PMG and intractable epilepsy evaluated with advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurophysiologic techniques. Diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography showed severe involvement of neighboring white matter tracts besides the cortex. The evaluation also included functional MRI, chronic subdural electroencephalogram monitoring, and intra-operative motor mapping. The patient had a decrease in seizure frequency and an increase in his developmental skills after the surgery.ConclusionAdvanced neuroradiologic and neurophysiologic techniques are required to provide an effective and safe resection of the epileptogenic cortex in cortical dysplasias.

Ictal electrocardiographic changes in children presenting with seizures

Background:  The aim of this study was to determine electrocardiographic changes in children during seizures.

Assessment of sedated pediatric brain with 3D-FLAIR sequence at 3T MRI.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In sedated pediatric brains, 2D-FLAIR causes increased signal intensity of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leading to false-positive diagnoses. Our aim is to determine whether increased CSF signal intensity is observed on 3D-FLAIR images. METHODS In this institutional review board-approved study, a 2-year retrospective analysis of our MRI database was conducted which revealed 48 sedated pediatric patients with normal cranial MRI findings and 3D-FLAIR sequence. One adult volunteer was imaged before and after O2 inhalation with 2D and 3D-FLAIR sequences. The hyperintensity in the subarachnoid spaces and basal cisterns were quantified as follows: 0: artifact free; 1: homogeneous minimal CSF signal; 2: abnormal CSF signal. Inter-observer agreement was assessed with kappa agreement analysis. RESULTS Grade 0 and grade 1 signals were observed at inferior to Liliequist membrane (LLQ) in 48/48 and 0/48 cases; prepontine cistern 47/48 and 1/48; superior to LLQ 26/48 and 22/48; 4th ventricle 16/48 and 32/48; 3rd ventricle 34/48 and 14/48; lateral ventricle 3/48 and 45/48; subarachnoid space 36/48 and 12/48, respectively. No patients showed grade 2 signal. Inter-observer agreement was 0.81-1. In the volunteer, after O2 inhalation, grade 2 signal intensity was evident on 2D-FLAIR however; 3D-FLAIR did not show any signal increase. CONCLUSIONS In sedated pediatric brains, 3D-FLAIR suppresses CSF signal, and enables reliable assessment free from CSF artifacts.

Basal Ganglia Location of Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytomas in Two Infants

Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas are benign tumors that constitute one of the primary features of tuberous sclerosis. Two infants with tuberous sclerosis had very unusual subependymal giant cell astrocytomas, confirmed on biopsy in one of the infants. In both cases, contrast-enhanced cranial magnetic resonance imaging suggested a calcified intra-axial mass with diffuse basal ganglia involvement extending into the lateral ventricle. Computed tomography confirmed calcification in both cases. The first patient had right temporal lobectomy for intractable epilepsy. Biopsy of the basal ganglia lesion in that case suggested subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. In infants, subependymal giant cell astrocytomas can present with unusual morphology and may feature diffuse basal ganglia involvement and severe calcification.

Identification of fetal precentral gyrus on diffusion weighted MRI

To investigate the association of the diffusion-weighted MR imaging characteristics of fetal preCG and gestational age. Forty-four fetuses with normal brain MRI findings were included in the study. Gestational ages ranged from 18 to 36 weeks (mean 25.2 weeks). All exams were performed with a 1.5-T scanner using a body array coil during free maternal breathing without sedation. Precentral gyrus was defined as the hyperintense strip anterior to the central sulcus, on the superior section of axial brain images at the level of superior frontal cortex. The presence of preCG hyperintensity was noted as observed/subtle/not observed at different b values (500, 1000 s/mm(2)) and on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps and compared to the imaging characteristics of the superior frontal cortex. Precentral gyrus was first detected at 25 weeks as a hyperintense strip on DWI and hypointense strip on ADC maps. Display of preCG b 1000 s/mm(2) images were better than b 500 s/mm(2). Between 25 and 27 weeks, in 40% of fetuses preCG was observed on one hemisphere, and it was evident bilaterally in 60% of cases. Starting from the 28th week, preCG was observed on both hemispheres in 100% of cases. Diffusion weighted imaging helps better understanding of the evolution of fetal preCG. The hyperintense preCG strip starts to appear at 25 weeks, and when interpreting fetal DWI after 28 weeks this may be a sign to be sought for in all fetuses and an indicator for normal development.