Seizure occurrence, EEG, and magnetic resonance imaging findings in 61 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Abstract Sixty-one human-immunodeficiency-virus (HIV) seropositive patients at various infectious stages who underwent at least one EEG examination were retrospectively studied. The seizure occurrence and the EEG as well as the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of these patients were related to the different clinical stages. Results show that the overall occurrence of seizures was 65%. Abnormal EEG was found in 93% of patients. The most common EEG abnormality was predominantly anterior symmetric slowing, which was present in 40% of patients having focal EEG slowing on their EEGs. MRI was abnormal in 89% of 54 patients. Cerebral atrophy was the MRI finding in 57% of patients. Cerebral atrophy only was present in 35%, a single focal lesion in 17%, and multiple lesions without atrophy in 15%. A focal lesion with atrophy was found in 17% and multiple lesions together with cerebral atrophy in 5%. There was good correlation among severity of the disease, occurrence of seizures, and positive EEG and MRI findings.