Seizure risk with recurrent alcohol detoxification
R. Lechtenberg and T. M. Worner
Department of Neurology, Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
To determine if there is an increase in the risk of seizure activity when
patients experience recurrent alcohol detoxifications, we reviewed the
detoxification and seizure histories of 256 men and 45 women voluntarily
admitted to a 5-day in-patient detoxification program. Structural brain
damage, focal neurologic deficits, epileptogenic findings on
electroencephalograms, and provocative drug use were all considered
pertinent variables for seizure risk. Seizures did not occur during alcohol
detoxification in any of the study patients, despite a high incidence of
antecedent seizures and provocative drug use. Oral chlordiazepoxide use
during detoxification was associated with the elimination of withdrawal
seizures. Of all 301 patients, 64 had a history of seizures, 42 had
significantly abnormal electroencephalograms during detoxification, and 30
had focal slowing on the electroencephalogram. There was no correlation
between the duration of alcohol abuse or lifetime consumption of alcohol
and seizure activity. There was, however, a significant correlation between
the number of inpatient alcohol detoxifications and the prevalence of
seizure disorders. This correlation held true even when provocative drug
use was taken into consideration.
