EEG Characteristics in COVID-19 Survivors and Non-survivors With Seizures and Encephalopathy

Abstract

The objective of this study is to report EEG findings in both COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors who underwent EEG either due to seizure or encephalopathy. Out of total 1468 COVID-19-positive patients, 19 patients underwent EEG. Eight out of 19 patients had a history of seizure disorder and in the remaining 11 with no prior history of seizures, four had a clinical seizure during their hospital stay. Only one had new-onset complex focal status epilepticus on EEG. Amongst the survivors (13/19), the most common EEG findings were normal followed by mild diffuse slowing. Amongst the non-survivors (6/19), the most common EEG finding was moderate to severe slowing in 50% of the patients. It can be deduced that COVID-19 infection does not increase the propensity of epileptiform discharges on EEG. There is perhaps a trend towards increased risk of new-onset status epilepticus in patients with encephalopathy and focal lesions.

Keywords: covid-19 and eeg findings; covid-19 and seizures; encephalopathy and covid-19; neurological manifestations in covid-19; status epilepticus in covid-19.

Figure 1. Graphical representation of EEG characteristics in COVID-19 survivors

Figure 2. Graphical representation of EEG characteristics in COVID-19 non-survivors

Figure 3. Double banana montage of EEG showing focal seizure originating from right temporal region

Figure 4. Double banana montage of EEG showing seizure spread to the right hemisphere with secondary generalization