[Ictal automatisms during partial complex seizures in 36 children]. 2000

M Gavranović, and S Zubcević, and A Buljina
Neuroloska klinika, Klinicki centar Univerziteta u Sarajevu.

Partial complex seizures are relatively frequent type of epileptic seizures. These attacks are having aura in 60% of cases, that can be vegetative, motor, sensor or psychological one. Important is aura in the form of uncinatus seizures (unpleasant odor), because we must exclude tumor of temporal region in these patients. Altered consciousness comes after aura, patient has opened eyes, face can be pale or red, and automatism appear, in the form of different movements. These automatisms are often considered insignificant by parents or eyewitnesses. There is often misdiagnosis of this type of seizures, because only about 20% of standard EEG recordings find specific epileptic grapho-elements. Therapy of these seizures is difficult, with the success in only 50% of cases. Ictal automatisms were tested in the group of 36 children with partial complex seizures aged 4 to 17 years. Duration of epilepsy was 1 to 5 years. All patients had proved diagnosis of partial complex seizures, clinically and on electroencephalography, CT scan and MRI in medically intractable seizures. Eleven patients were videotaped during the attack. All patients had questionnaire filled by parents, about automatisms. Thirty-four patients (94.4%) had ictal automatisms, and 2 with epileptic focus in frontal region did not. Some patients had different types of automatisms. Most frequent ones were mimicking (15.19%), sitting-standing up (10.76%), swinging (8.23%), swallowing (7.59%) etc. It can be concluded that automatisms are almost obligatory part of partial complex seizure, and their registration is essential for correct diagnosis and treatment of these seizures.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D001332 Automatism Automatic, mechanical, and apparently undirected behavior which is outside of conscious control.
D017029 Epilepsy, Complex Partial A disorder characterized by recurrent partial seizures marked by impairment of cognition. During the seizure the individual may experience a wide variety of psychic phenomenon including formed hallucinations, illusions, deja vu, intense emotional feelings, confusion, and spatial disorientation. Focal motor activity, sensory alterations and AUTOMATISM may also occur. Complex partial seizures often originate from foci in one or both temporal lobes. The etiology may be idiopathic (cryptogenic partial complex epilepsy) or occur as a secondary manifestation of a focal cortical lesion (symptomatic partial complex epilepsy). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp317-8) Complex Partial Epilepsy,Complex Partial Seizure Disorder,Cryptogenic Partial Complex Epilepsy,Disorder, Complex Partial Seizures,Epilepsy, Cryptogenic, Partial Complex,Epilepsy, Psychic Equivalent,Epilepsy, Psychomotor,Epilepsy, Symptomatic, Partial Complex,Partial Complex Epilepsy, Cryptogenic,Partial Complex Epilepsy, Symptomatic,Seizure Disorder, Complex Partial,Symptomatic Partial Complex Epilepsy,Partial Epilepsy, Complex,Psychic Equivalent Epilepsy,Psychomotor Epilepsy

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