Sequential EEG findings and symptoms in partial seizures of temporal lobe origin

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Abstract
Cases (45) of partial seizures of temporal lobe origin undergoing investigation first with routine EEG and then methohexitone activated EEG are reported. Cases (31) were supplemented by sphenoidal electrodes. Methohexitone activated foci from temporal lobes which had previously not displayed temporal spike or sharp wave discharges in 15 (33.3%) cases. In 11 cases (24.8%) the 1st evidence of a focus in either temporal lobe was seen. In 4 cases (8.9%) the focus was contralateral to one already seen on routine EEG. In 3 (6.7%) cases the sphenoidal electrodes were essential for demonstrating the focus. Methohexitone evoked temporal spikes or sharp waves irrespective of the nature of the initial routine EEG which was either normal, had non-epileptic temporal abnormalities or abnormalities outside the temporal region. The 2 .times. 2 .chi.2 tests, comparing the frequency with which a particular symptom was accompanied by an EEG in a sequence with temporal discharges, showed that only in the case of evolution to generalized tonic/clonic seizures (secondary generalization) was the association statistically significant; .chi.2 4.28, P < 0.025. Similar testing of length of history and frequency of attacks against the frequency with which temporal discharges occurred failed to establish a statistically significant association.