Absence epilepsy and periventricular nodular heterotopia

Seizure. 2010 Sep;19(7):450-2. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2010.06.013. Epub 2010 Jul 15.

Abstract

We report a case of a girl who presented with typical absence seizures at age of 4.5 years. EEG showed absence seizures of sudden onset with 3 Hz spike-and-waves that also correlated with the clinical absences. The seizure semiology included subtle deviation of the eyes which prompted MRI investigation of the brain. This showed a periventricular nodular heterotopia in the mid to anterior horn of the right lateral ventricle. Although possibly coincidental, periventricular heterotopia are considered to be epileptogenic and this association has been reported once before. Migration disorders, such as in the periventricular heterotopia of our patient, may influence the formation and excitability of the striato-thalamo-cortical network involved in the generation of 3 Hz spike-waves.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy, Absence / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy, Absence / etiology*
  • Epilepsy, Absence / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lamotrigine
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia / complications*
  • Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia / pathology*
  • Triazines / administration & dosage
  • Valproic Acid / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Triazines
  • Valproic Acid
  • Lamotrigine