Aim:
In our study, we aimed to analyze electroencephalography (EEG) findings in patients with hypocalcemia and to investigate possible relationship between calcium (Ca) level and EEG abnormalities and whether there was any change in EEG findings when serum Ca level returns to normal.
Methods:
Seventeen consecutive patients, who were admitted to the Endocrinology, Neurology and General Surgery Clinics at İstanbul Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital with a corrected serum Ca level of <8.5 mg/dL, were included in our study. EEG examination was performed in all patients in the same day with laboratory examination. Control EEG was performed in patients who had abnormal EEG findings and in those calcium levels were normalized (>8.5 mg/dL) in follow-up.
Results:
EEG abnormalities were detected in nine (53%) of 17 patients. EEG examination revealed slow background activity in seven patients (41%) and epileptiform abnormalities in two (12%) patients. In follow-up, normocalcemic period was observed in seven patients. EEG findings were improved in two of eight patients who had slow background activity and one of two patients with epileptiform activity in the normocalcemic period.
Conclusion:
Our study showed that various EEG findings, such as slowed background activity and epileptiform abnormalities, may be seen in isolated hypocalcemia patients even in the absence of clinical findings and these EEG findings may improve in normocalsemic period.
Keywords: Hypocalcemia, electroencephalography, seizure