The role of prophylactic anticonvulsants in the management of brain metastases: a systematic review and evidence-based clinical practice guideline

J Neurooncol. 2010 Jan;96(1):97-102. doi: 10.1007/s11060-009-0056-5. Epub 2009 Dec 3.

Abstract

Question: Do prophylactic anticonvulsants decrease the risk of seizure in patients with metastatic brain tumors compared with no treatment?

Target population: These recommendations apply to adults with solid brain metastases who have not experienced a seizure due to their metastatic brain disease.

Recommendation: Level 3 For adults with brain metastases who have not experienced a seizure due to their metastatic brain disease, routine prophylactic use of anticonvulsants is not recommended. Only a single underpowered randomized controlled trial (RCT), which did not detect a difference in seizure occurrence, provides evidence for decision-making purposes.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Databases, Factual / statistics & numerical data
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seizures / etiology*
  • Seizures / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants