Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome: A Prospective Follow-up Study
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a catastrophic epileptic encephalopathy. In Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, seizures are resistant to pharmacological treatment. In this prospective study, we evaluated the clinical features, neuroimaging, and response to treatment. Forty-three consecutive newly diagnosed patients of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome were enrolled in the study. Baseline clinical assessment included seizure semiology, seizure frequency, electroencephalography, and neuroimaging. Patients were treated with combinations of preferred antiepileptic drugs (sodium valproate [VPA], clobazam [CLB], levetiracetam [LVT], lamotrigine [LMT], and topiramate [TPM]). Patients were followed for 6 months. The outcome was assessed using modified Barthel index. Tonic and generalized tonic-clonic forms were the most common seizures types. Features suggestive of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (37.2%) were most frequent neuroimaging abnormality. Neuroimaging was normal in 32.6% of patients. With a combination valproic acid (VPA), CLB, and LVT, in 81.4% of patients, we were able to achieve >50% reduction in seizure frequency. Eleven (25.58%) patients showed an improvement in the baseline disability status. A combination of VPA, CLB, and LVT is an appropriate treatment regimen for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.