[Epilepsy after stroke].

Abstract

The incidence of poststroke epilepsy, i.e. recurring seizures after stroke, is estimated at 6-8%. Chronic recurrent seizures infrequently follow these convulsions which occur soon after stroke, whereas they often follow late-onset convulsions, that is, those convulsions which occur between two weeks to six years after the stroke. The mechanism of poststroke epilepsy is not fully understood. The prevailing opinion is that cortical involvement is of particular importance. The seizures may be partial or generalized, EEG may play a role in the localization of the focus, the determination of its and differentiation of cortical versus subcortical lesions. It would appeared that CT is of great utility in the visualization of cerebral lesions and in estimating lesion size. Seizures in 88% could be managed with monotherapy.