Background and Objectives: A growing number of stroke survivors face various stroke complications, including new-onset epileptic seizures (ESs). Post-stroke ESs are divided into early and late ESs based on the time of onset after stroke. Early ESs are associated with worse stroke outcomes, longer hospitalization and an increased risk of late ESs. A variety of risk factors for early ESs are being studied in order to prevent their occurrence. Therefore, we aim to determine the association of early ESs with ischemic stroke risk factors and characteristics. Materials and Methods: A total of 166 patients, treated for ischemic stroke in the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics, were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Initially, data about stroke risk factors, localization, severity and treatment were collected, followed by an observation period of 14 days for early ESs. Results: Early ESs occurred in 11 (6.6%) participants. The probability of early ESs after ischemic stroke among males and females (LogRank = 1.281; p > 0.05), younger (≤65 y) and older (>65 y) participants (LogRank = 0.129; p > 0.05) was the same. The presence of ischemic stroke risk factors, such as atrial fibrillation (LogRank = 0.004; p > 0.05), diabetes mellitus (LogRank = 1.168; p > 0.05) and dyslipidemia (LogRank = 0.092; p > 0.05), did not increase the probability of early ESs. However, participants without a prior history of arterial hypertension (LogRank = 4.453; p < 0.05) were more likely to develop early ESs. Stroke localization (anterior versus posterior) (LogRank = 0.011; p > 0.05), stroke severity (LogRank = 0.395; p > 0.05) and type of treatment (specific versus non-specific) (LogRank = 1.783; p > 0.05) did not affect the probability of early ESs.

Background and objectives: while acute ischemic stroke is the leading cause of epilepsy in the elderly population, data about its risk factors have been conflicting. Therefore, the aim of our study is to determine the association of early and late epileptic seizures after acute ischemic stroke with cerebral cortical involvement and electroencephalographic changes. Materials and methods: a prospective cohort study in the Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics Department of Neurology was conducted and enrolled 376 acute ischemic stroke patients. Data about the demographical, clinical, radiological, and encephalographic changes was gathered. Patients were followed for 1 year after stroke and assessed for late ES. Results: the incidence of ES was 4.5%, the incidence of early ES was 2.7% and the incidence of late ES was 2.4%. The occurrence of early ES increased the probability of developing late ES. There was no association between acute cerebral cortical damage and the occurrence of ES, including both early and late ES. However, interictal epileptiform discharges were associated with the occurrence of ES, including both early and late ES.

Objectives: We aimed to provide data of nerve sizes and echogenicity reference values of the Lithuanian population. Methods: High-resolution ultrasound was bilaterally performed according to the Ultrasound Pattern Sum Score and Neuropathy ultrasound protocols for healthy Lithuanian adults. Cross-sectional area (CSA) measurement and echogenicity were used as the main parameters for investigation. Echogenicity was evaluated using ImageJ, and nerves were categorized in classes according to echogenicity. Results: Of 125 subjects enrolled, 63 were males (mean age 47.57 years, range 25–78 years) and 62 were females (mean age 50.50 years, range 25–80 years). Reference values of nerve sizes and values of echogenicity as a fraction of black in percentage of cervical roots, upper and middle trunks of the brachial plexus and the following nerves: vagal, median, ulnar, radial, superficial radial, tibial, fibular, and sural in standard regions were established. Mild to moderate correlations were found between nerves CSA, echogenicity values and anthropometric measurements with the differences according to sex. Inter-rater (ICC 0.93; 95% CI 0.92–0.94) and intra-rater (ICC 0.94; 95% CI 0.93–0.95) reliability was excellent. Conclusions: Reference values of nerve size and echogenicity of Lithuanians were presented for the first time as a novel such kind of publication from the Baltic countries.