NATIONAL HOSPITAL, NAIROBI

Abstract

Background: Electroencephalogram based studies done elsewhere suggest that epileptiform activity originates predominantly from the left cortical hemisphere. Thereis evidence that partial epilepsies (focal spike and wave epileptiform discharges on tracings) connotes focal; secondary structural cortical dysfunction. Studies seeking similar findings have not been done locally. Objective: To review electroencephalograms (EEGs) done at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH); looking for various types of epileptiform discharges and their cerebral cortex of origin. Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya-from January 1986 to June 2004 Results: A total 10431EEG records were reviewed. Ninety Eight percent of referrals for EEG evaluation was for clinical differential diagnosis of epilepsy. Abnormal EEGs comprised 32.2% of the study population.