Efficacy of dexamathasone on cerebral swelling and seizures during subdural grid EEG recording in children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of steroid treatment on cerebral swelling and seizures during subdural grid EEG (SGEEG) monitoring.

METHODS: We reviewed data from 37 pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy who underwent SGEEG monitoring and divided the patients into those who received dexamethasone and those who did not. We then correlated administration of steroids to incidence of cerebral swelling on computed tomography (CT) scans and to frequency of seizures during SGEEG.

RESULTS: Twenty-three patients received dexamethasone prophylactically every 6 hours (dosage range, 1-7.5 mg; mean, 3.2 mg) from the first day of SGEEG placement (group A); 14 patients received no dexamethasone (group B). Eight (21.6%) of 37 patients experienced cerebral swelling on CT: two (9%) were in group A, and six (42.9%) were in group B (p < 0.05). SGEEG monitoring time for recording habitual seizures that localized cortical areas for surgical excision was longer in group A (1-6 days; mean, 3.0) than it was in group B (1-3 days; mean, 2.2), (p < 0.05). Habitual seizures were recorded in 36 patients. One group A patient experienced obtundation due to cerebral swelling, and monitoring in this patient was discontinued.

CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic administration of steroids to pediatric patients during SGEEG monitoring is efficacious for reducing cerebral swelling. Although it decreases the frequency of habitual seizures and increases seizure-monitoring time, dexamethasone reduces the risk of complications from cerebral swelling during the SGEEG procedure.