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Benign partial seizures of adolescence
M A King1, M R Newton, S F Berkovic
1Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
Epilepsia
|September 16, 1999
Summary
Benign partial seizures in adolescents (BPSA) can be identified in teenagers with focal seizures and normal MRIs. Early recognition of this epilepsy syndrome is crucial due to its psychosocial impact.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatric Epilepsy
- Clinical Neurophysiology
Background:
- Benign partial seizures in adolescents (BPSA) was first described in 1978 but lacked subsequent confirmation.
- Adolescent epilepsy presents unique diagnostic and management challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify potential cases of BPSA in adolescents with new-onset focal seizures.
- To evaluate electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in these patients.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study identified 92 adolescents (10-20 years) with new-onset focal seizures.
- Patients without idiopathic epilepsy, MRI lesions, or recurrent tonic-clonic seizures were analyzed.
- Eight patients met the criteria for BPSA.
Main Results:
- Twenty-two percent (8/37) of adolescents with partial epilepsy met BPSA criteria.
- All BPSA patients experienced seizures with a sensory/motor march.
- EEG showed abnormalities in 5 cases without distinct patterns; all MRIs were normal.
Conclusions:
- BPSA can be provisionally diagnosed in adolescents with unprovoked focal seizures featuring a sensory/motor march and normal MRI.
- Early identification of BPSA is vital to mitigate the significant psychosocial effects of chronic epilepsy in adolescence.