Treatment in typical and atypical rolandic epilepsy

Abstract

Benign rolandic epilepsy is the most common epilepsy of childhood. Regarding seizure control typical and atypical rolandic epilepsies have a reasonable prognosis. In a recent prospective study STM was shown to control seizures in BECTS and STM is regarded as first line drug for this epilepsy in countries having access to this drug. Otherwise, CBZ is used most often and very effectively in BECTS. However, CBZ has the disadvantage to worsen clinical and EEG features up to the precipitation of CSWS in few patients. Epileptic seizures are often not the main problem in atypical rolandic epilepsies like CSWS or LKS and the amelioration of cognitive dysfunction by epileptic discharge is the prominent aim of an AED therapy. Steroids seem the have the best efficacy in these cases.