central-parietal seizure?

[mountainmomma]

Hi. I am new. My 6 year old just got her 1st eeg and it came back with epileptiform discharges were seen at the central-parietal vertex of the head. Is this the Fissure of Rolando? I am so scared because this was her 1st sz and it was at night. I can't see a nuro for 2 weeks and I have so many questions and no answers. I think she may have bre. I know I should not play google Dr. but I need info. Anyone, if you know please help. I am scared for my baby.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi mountainmomma, welcome to the forum.

Feel free to ask all the questions you need to. Just based on the EEG info you describe, it's hard to know what kind of epilepsy your daughter may or may not have. Benign Rolandic Epilepsy (BRE) tends to originate in the centro-temporal area (further forward than the centro-parietal area). Some of the things that are specific to BRE have to do with when the seizures happen, and what happens during them. Your neurologist will look at all the information about her first seizure along with the EEG to come up with a diagnosis. If it is BRE, the chances are good that A. she might not need to be medicated and B. She will outgrow the seizures.

I recommend that you write down all the questions you have for the neurologist, and also write down what he/she tells you as well.

I wish you the best for you and your daughter -- let us know how it goes.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[mountainmomma]

Thanks Nakamova,
You know when your child has something going on it consumes you. Since I just learned about all this 15 hours ago, I may be a bit off. My logic went like this:
Central-parietal is the "central" sulcus (of parietal lobe) that seporates the parietal lobe from the frontal lobe. The "central sulcus" is the fissure of Rolando. I did read that it started in the frontal lobe and maybe I was stretching it. I looked and looked for information on the central-parietal and found it all had a lot to do with sensory info and my child has noting wrong at all with that. I also found that epilepse in the parietal was very rare. I went with the fact that bre starts at at 6- my girl is 6, it happens at night- hers happened at night and I liked that she wouold be growing out of it. I will take your ideas about questions and writing down answers. Thanks for that. I have so many questions. Maybe you can help me. My girl had her eeg done 9 days after her 1st sz. Could the discharges they saw be from 9 days ago or no? Since her eeg was abnormal and it is associated with a clinical seizure disorder - that means for sure she has this and it most probably a sz will happen again? And what in the heck is the central-parietal vertex head region anyway -if it is not the central sulcus. I thank you so much for helping. Even if you do not know, I feel like I have no where but the computer to answer my questions and just talking about it is helping me. I wish "urgent" meant you would be seen by a Doc fast. It's a shame that they are so backed up and there are so many children needing help. Have a good weekend.
Mountain Momma

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Mountain Momma --

It is so frustrating that right when you most want and need information (i.e., when your kid appears at risk), you have to wait and worry instead. I would do just the same as you -- get on the computer and try and learn everything and anything about what might be going on. I am not a doctor, but I'll try and point you in the right direction. And we are here at CWE anytime you need to vent or chat or ask questions.

Your daughter's abnormal EEG is not necessarily connected to the specific seizure she had. The abnormal brainwaves may have been there prior to her seizure. For instance, in my case, if I weren't on meds, an EEG would show abnormal brainwaves (called spike-and-dome) all the time, regardless if I were having an actual seizure. During the seizure itself the spikes would get "spikier" and more extreme.

It's hard to know if your daughter will have another seizure... until she has another seizure. (I know -- Aargh!) Obviously it's good to avoid having repeated seizures, and your doctor may have advice about ways to do so, or whether the risks make it worth it to prescribe medication. Some people on this site have found that specific diets have been very helpful in preventing or reducing seizures, especially in children. You might want to search on this site for posts by Robin for more info about this.

As I understand it, the central-parietal vertex is the top middle of where the parietal lobes come together. (Basically the top of the head, not as far front as the frontal lobes). It may well be that your daughter has BRE -- I don't know enough about all the variants, and a lot of epilepsy is unpredictable.

I hope your daughter remains seizure-free, and that your neurologist is responsive and reassuring. If you have questions about what the doctor says, be persistent in getting answers from him. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

Check back here to let us know how it goes. We're rooting for you and your daughter.