Audit of practice in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) post mortems and neuropathological findings.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is one of the leading causes of death in people with epilepsy. For classification of definite SUDEP, a post mortem (PM), including anatomical and toxicological examination, is mandatory to exclude other causes of death. We audited PM practice as well as the value of brain examination in SUDEP.

Methods

We reviewed 145 PM reports in SUDEP cases from four UK neuropathology centres. Data were extracted for clinical epilepsy details, circumstances of death and neuropathological findings.

Results

Macroscopic brain abnormalities were identified in 52% of cases. Mild brain swelling was present in 28%, and microscopic pathologies relevant to cause or effect of seizures were seen in 89%. Examination based on whole fixed brains (7

SUBMITTER: Thom M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4864133 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature