[Post-stroke epilepsy: First data from Niger].

INTRODUCTION

Post-stroke epilepsy is defined as unprovoked seizures occurring in a person with a history of stroke after all other causes have been excluded.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and evolutionary characteristics of post-stroke epilepsy in the neurology department of the general referral hospital in Niamey, Niger. The study was retrospective, descriptive, and analytical, and it was conducted over a period of 29 months. Results. A total of 4,765 patients were included in the study, 21 of whom were diagnosed with post-stroke epilepsy. This represents a hospital prevalence of 4.4%o. The sex ratio was 0.75. The average age was 64. Ischemic stroke (IS) was the most common type, accounting for 81% of cases, with lesions most often occurring in the superficial territory of the middle cerebral artery. Seizures were focal in 52.4% of cases and occurred late, within one to two years. Most patients were treated with monotherapy, primarily with carbamazepine.

CONCLUSION

The outcome was favorable in 71.5% of cases with appropriate treatment.