Effect of interseizure interval on seizure lateralization in patients with bilateral seizure foci

SummaryWe investigated whether there is a cluster effect depending on localization of seizure foci in patients with bilateral seizure foci. We evaluated 171 seizure pairs from 193 seizures recorded in 28 patients. Seizure lateralization was determined by the lateralization of ictal discharges; if the ictal EEG pattern was not lateralized, lateralization was determined by clinical seizure semiology. The logarithm of the interseizure interval (ISI) was significantly related to seizure concordance only in patients with extratemporal seizure foci, but not in those with bitemporal foci. In the former group, the mean ISI for concordant seizure pairs was significantly shorter than that for discordant seizures pairs (292 min versus 631 min, p = 0.023). Seizure types composing seizure pairs had a significant influence on ISI regardless of the localization of seizure foci. ISIs were shortest in seizure pairs with only partial seizures. However, types of seizure pairs were significantly related to concordance rates of seizure lateralization only in patients with extratemporal foci (p = 0.005). In conclusion, our results suggest that the cluster effect on seizure localization exists in patients with extratemporal seizure foci, but not in those with bitemporal foci.