Which condition is most likely to show periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs)?

Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) are distinctive EEG patterns typically associated with focal brain dysfunction. Among the conditions listed, brain tumors are the most likely to exhibit this type of discharge.

In the case of brain tumors, the abnormal growth can lead to localized irritation or disruption of the surrounding brain tissue. This irritation often manifests as PLEDs, which are characterized by repetitive sharp waves that are seen predominantly in the hemisphere that harbors the tumor. The presence of bulk lesions, like tumors, can create a conducive environment for epileptogenic activity, leading to these characteristic EEG patterns.

While strokes and head trauma can also lead to various EEG abnormalities, they are less likely to specifically produce PLEDs compared to brain tumors. Hypoxia, on the other hand, generally presents with diffuse EEG changes rather than focal patterns like PLEDs. Thus, brain tumors are the most pertinent condition linked with the observation of PLEDs in an EEG reading.