Background and purpose: 'Dancing-like' semiology is extremely rare and described in few case reports. It is characterized by rhythmic, oscillatory movements of the pelvis and/or limbs during which the subject appears to be dancing. It has been associated with both the frontal and temporal epileptic zone; however, the possible network involved in these fascinating seizures is unclear.
Methods: The case of a 45-year-old woman suffering from drug-resistant focal epilepsy with multi-day seizures of bizarre semiology is described. A structural and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging study (interictal and peri-ictal) and video-electroencephalograms were carried out, and several home videos were employed. A vagal stimulator was implanted.
Results: Home videos documented the 'dancing' semiology of seizures better than video- electroencephalogram recordings. The imaging study revealed a focal frontal polymicrogyria with a peri-ictal cerebral blood flow increase at the perisylvian lesion foci. The combination of add-on cenobamate and vagal nerve stimulation resulted in complete seizure freedom.
Conclusion: The unusual and complex dancing-like semiology observed during our patient's seizures adds to the repertoire of fascinating complex motor manifestations of frontal lobe epilepsy.
Keywords: complex motor behaviour; dancing semiology; dancing‐like seizures; frontal lobe seizures; frontal polymicrogyria.
© 2024 The Authors. European Journal of Neurology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Neurology.