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Progressive facial hemiatrophy after epileptic seizures
1Department of Pediatrics; Akita University School of Medicine;, Akita, Japan.
Pediatric Neurology
|October 6, 2000
Summary
Epileptic seizures in a young child preceded neurocutaneous changes, leading to a Parry-Romberg syndrome diagnosis. This case highlights seizures as an early indicator of progressive facial hemiatrophy and associated brain abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Parry-Romberg syndrome, a rare disorder, involves progressive hemifacial atrophy.
- Neurologic complications, including epilepsy, are known but typically occur after visible atrophy.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old female presented with intractable complex partial seizures.
- Initial computed tomography scans showed normal intracranial findings.
- The patient later developed frontal paramedian band-like skin depression, diagnosed as progressive facial hemiatrophy.
Findings:
- A follow-up computed tomography scan at age 5 revealed parenchymal calcifications and white matter low-density areas in the frontoparietal lobes.
- These findings suggest underlying neurocutaneous changes.
- Epileptic seizures preceded the radiographically evident neurocutaneous abnormalities.
Implications:
- This case suggests that epileptic seizures may precede or coincide with the onset of neurocutaneous changes in Parry-Romberg syndrome.
- Early recognition of seizures could prompt earlier investigation for underlying brain abnormalities.
- Understanding this temporal relationship is crucial for managing pediatric patients with progressive facial hemiatrophy.