Abstract
Nine patients with sequelae of influenza-associated encephalitis/encephalothay from 1997 to 2002 influenza seasons were included in this study. Their clinical course and serial electroencephalographic findings were studied. In the acute phase, all patients showed frequent seizures. In the convalescent phase, epileptic seizures were observed in five patients, two symptomatic localization-related epilepsy and three symptomatic generalized epilepsy. Electroencephalogram revealed high voltage slow waves in the acute phase in all patients, and two showed periodic discharges. One to twelve months later, focal spikes developed in seven patients, and 4 to 18 months later, diffuse poly spikes or spike and waves developed. These serial electroencephalographic changes were common in our patients and might be a characteristic finding following influenza-associated encephalitis/encephalopathy. It is also important to examine electroencephalogram to recognize the neurophysiological sequelae of influenza associated encephalitis/encephalopathy.
