[Prognostic value of epileptic seizures in patients with cerebral gliomas].

INTRODUCTION

Epileptic seizures as the only or one of the symptoms of a brain tumor are useful for prognostication and represent a factor influencing survival rate and quality of life in patients with high-grade and low-grade gliomas.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of 189 patients was carried out between 1981 and 1997. The shortest follow-up period was 2 years, the longest 8 years. Epileptic seizures were present in 43% of the patients before operation. Correlations between localization of glioma and type of seizure were studied. The Statistica software was used to analyze histopathology findings according to seizure frequency and its influence on survival rate.

RESULTS

Survival rates in patients with low-grade glioma (WHO II) and high-grade glioma (WHO III) suffering from seizures before operation were higher (p = 0.0306) than in patients without seizures. This relationship did not apply to WHO IV gliomas. There was no association between seizure frequency and histological type of tumor.

CONCLUSION

Simple partial seizures are usually associated with low-grade supratentorial gliomas, whereas generalized seizures were present in high-grade gliomas.