[Myoclonic astatic seizures in a child with Sturge-Weber syndrome]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2008 Nov;164(11):953-6. doi: 10.1016/j.neurol.2008.03.018. Epub 2008 May 13.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduction: Sturge-Weber syndrome is a neurocutaneous disease associating facial and pial angioma. Focal epilepsy is a common sign. In a few cases, generalized seizures have been reported.

Case report: We report on a four-year-old girl with Sturge-Weber syndrome. The first focal seizures occurred at three years of age. She developed refractory status epilepticus. At discharge from the PICU, she was on a ketogenic diet and received three antiepileptic drugs. No seizures were observed for four months. The patient then developed several types of seizures: myoclonic seizures, focal clonic seizures, and sudden falls. We were unable to determine the etiology of the falls. Typical myoclonic astatic seizures were identified on video-electroencephalographic recordings.

Conclusion: Seizures in Sturge-Weber syndrome are usually focal. Four patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome and myoclonoastatic seizures are reported in the literature. We discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms leading from a focal lesion to generalized myoclonoastatic seizures.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / etiology*
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Movement Disorders / etiology
  • Play and Playthings
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Sturge-Weber Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Sturge-Weber Syndrome / physiopathology