ObjectiveTo probe the clinical features and the characteristics of radiography and electroencephalogram (EEG) of tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC) in children with epilepsy. MethodsThe clinical data of the TSC cases with epilepsy were collected from inpatients in Jiangxi Children's Hospital from Jan. 2013 to Oct. 2015. ResultsAmong the 26 cases, 21 cases(21/26, 80.77%) involved abnormalities of the skin. Of these patients, there were 10 cases with hypomelanotic macules, 7 cases with café au lait spots and 4 cases with facial angiofibromas. There were no significant difference among the different age groups. In addition, there were 8 cases (8/26, 30.77%) with spasm seizures, of whom 3 cases had partial seizure, 10 cases (10/26, 38.46%) with complex partial seizure, 5 cases(5/26, 19.23%) with secondary generalized seizure, 2 cases(2/26, 7.69%) with tonic-clonic seizure and one case with Lennox-Gastaut syndrom(1/26, 3.85%). The average onset age of the epileptic spasms group were younger than those of the other epilepsy groups (t=2.143, P=0.042). EEG monitoring demonstrated hypsarrhythmia in 7 cases (7/26, 26.92%) in the interictal EEG, focal epileptic discharges in 11 cases (11/26, 42.31%), multifocal discharges in 5 cases, the slow background activity in 2 cases and the normal EEG in one case. Cranial imaging demonstrated subependymal nodules (SEN) in 25 cases(25/26, 96.15%) was the most common. ConclusionThe clinical manifestations and seizure types of TSC in children, especially in infants and young children, were diverse and age-dependent. It was very important to improve understanding of the clinical features and related risks of TSC at various ages, which was helpful to diagnose TSC early.
ObjectiveTuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multiorgan disorder and mostly associated with intractable epilepsy. Now several individual reports suggest that epilepsy in children with TSC might benefit from a ketogenic diet (KD). We prospectively studied the curative effect of 14 children with the KD in the treatment of TSC with epilepsy. MethodsBetween 2008 and 2015, we enrolled 14 children with TSC and epilepsy who received KD treatment in Shenzhen Children's Hospital and followed up for at least three months.Outcome was measured by the change of seizure frequency before and after the KD in the use of anticonvusant drugs, adverse effects, and change in cognitive function. Results14 children aged 8 months to 7 years were included. 7/14 (50%) children had a > 50% reduction in seizure frequency at 3 months on the diet, 5/14 (36%) children had a seizure free response. 12/14 (86%) children with refractory epilepsy, 6/12 (50%) children had a > 50% reduction in seizure frequency, 2 children had reduced medications, one child did not use any antiepileptic drugs during KD. 6 of 12 children with developmental delays had cognitive function improvement. ConclusionsKD is a generally effective and safe therapy for TSC children with epilepsy, especially for refractory epilepsy. KD could reduce antiepileptic drugs, and also improve children's cognitive function.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of rapamycin in the treatment of Tuberous sclerosis complex ( TSC ) complicated with refractory epilepsy, and to provide scientific basis for the clinical treatment of this disease.MethodsRetrospective analysis was performed on 22 children with TSC complicated with refractory epilepsy admitted to Henan People's Hospital from 2017 to 2019, including 11 males and 11 females who met the inclusion criteria, with an average age of (27.91±36.92) months. They were treated with antiepileptic drugs and rapamycin at the same time, and followed up for at least 1 year.To observe the change of seizure frequency before and after treatment with rapamycin.ResultsThe mean reduction rate of seizure frequency in children with tuberous sclerosis complicated with refractory epilepsy was 52.1% 6 months after the addition of rapamycin, and 51.2% 12 months after the addition of rapamycin. The number of seizure-free days could be maintained. The difference before and after the addition of rapamycin was statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionThe addition of rapamycin in the treatment of TSC complicated with refractory epilepsy can reduce the frequency of seizure and increase the number of days without seizure, and the adverse reactions are mild/moderate. Rapamycin has certain safety in children with regular follow-up.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationships between the onset age, genotype, clinical phenotype and the efficacy of Rapamycin in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex.MethodsRetrospectively analyze the clinical data of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) who were diagnosed with epilepsy in Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from October 2013 to December 2018. Meanwhile, the relationships between the onset age of epilepsy and genotype, clinical phenotype and Rapamycin efficacy were analyzed comprehensively.ResultsTSC gene was detected in 104 patients with tuberous sclerosis complex, of which 85 (81.7%) were positive and 44 (51.8%) were males as well as 41 (48.2%) were females, with an average age of (4.0±4.9) years old. And there were 34 (40.0%) TSC1 mutations and 51 (60.0%) TSC2 mutations. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their ages: ≤1 year old, 1 ~ 6 years old and ≥6 years old. Among them, 31 cases (36.5%) were in the ≤1 year old group, 31 cases (36.5%) in the 1 ~ 6 years old group and 23 cases (27.0%) in the ≥6 years old group. Through statistical analysis, we found that the onset age of epilepsy in patients with TSC1 and TSC2 gene mutations was statistically different (χ2=9.030, P=0.011). Further analysis of the relationship between the onset age of epilepsy and other clinical phenotypes showed that there were statistical differences in the probability of mental retardation and spasm seizure in different onset age groups of epilepsy (P<0.05). In addition, patients with epilepsy onset age ≤1 year old are more likely to have renal disease and patients with epilepsy onset age ≥6 years old are more likely to have SEGAs. There was no significant difference between the onset age of epilepsy and the efficacy of Rapamycin (P>0.05).ConclusionTSC2 mutation, mental retardation and spasm seizure are more likely to occur in patients with epilepsy onset age ≤1 year old. The study on multiple factors of epilepsy onset age may have a certain guiding role in judging the development and prognosis of TSC with epilepsy.