Risk Factors for Infective Complications with Long-Term Subdural Electrode Implantation in Patients with Medically Intractable Partial Epilepsy

ObjectiveTo evaluate infective complications with intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) recording so as to lessen them.MethodsA database of intracranial monitoring cases with subdural electrodes at Kyoto University Hospital between May 1992 and March 2012 was retrospectively reviewed.ResultsThis analysis included 46 EEG monitoring sessions. Infective complications related to intracranial electrodes occurred in 4 monitoring sessions (8.7%; 3 male patients). Causative agents were identified as Staphylococcus aureus in 3 monitoring sessions and Staphylococcus epidermidis in 1 session. In univariate analysis, the season of monitoring was identified as the sole significant risk factor. More infective complications occurred when monitoring occurred in autumn. More infective complications tended to occur in patients who had implantation in the right side or discontinuation of intravenously administered prophylactic antibiotics, although these factors were not statistically significant. Age, sex, duration of monitoring, number of electrodes, and pathologic diagnosis did not seem to be associated with an increased risk of infective complications. Infective complications had no significant influence on seizure outcome.ConclusionsInvasive EEG monitoring during autumn might be a risk factor in terms of infective complications. S aureus was a common pathogen.