Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

09:57
Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Published on: September 20, 2024
Temporal lobe dual pathology in malignant migrating partial seizures in infancy
Giangennaro Coppola1, Francesca Felicia Operto, Gianfranca Auricchio
1Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Second University of Naples. giangennaro.coppola@unina2.it
Summary
This study reports a unique case of drug-resistant epilepsy in an infant, characterized by migrating partial seizures and focal brain lesions. These findings highlight a previously undocumented presentation of infantile epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Epileptology
Background:
- Migrating partial seizures in infancy is a rare epilepsy syndrome.
- Drug-resistant epilepsy poses significant challenges in pediatric populations.
- Focal brain lesions are often associated with specific epilepsy types but their association with migrating partial seizures is not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a unique case of migrating partial seizures in infancy with associated focal brain lesions.
- To highlight the clinical and EEG characteristics of this rare presentation.
- To discuss the implications of focal brain lesions in the context of migrating partial seizures.
Main Methods:
- Case report detailing clinical presentation, electroencephalogram (EEG) findings, and neuroimaging results.
- Description of seizure semiology, drug resistance, and developmental outcomes.
- Review of existing literature on migrating partial seizures and focal brain lesions.
Main Results:
- The child presented with characteristic clinical and EEG patterns of migrating partial seizures in infancy.
- Neuroimaging revealed left temporal lobe atrophy, hippocampal sclerosis, and cortical-subcortical blurring.
- Seizures were drug-resistant, leading to status epilepticus, microcephaly, and psychomotor developmental arrest.
- Focal brain lesions in this context have not been previously reported.
Conclusions:
- This case represents a novel association between migrating partial seizures in infancy and focal brain lesions.
- The findings suggest that focal brain lesions may contribute to the severity and drug resistance of seizures in this condition.
- Further research is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms and long-term outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
Seizures: Classification
Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Epilepsy ll: Types
Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.
Seizures ll: Types
Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical discharge in the brain that interfere with normal function. They are commonly divided into three groups: focal seizures, generalized seizures, and other types that do not fit neatly into either category.Focal SeizuresFocal seizures begin in a single brain region. When awareness is preserved, they are called focal aware seizures and may cause sensations such as tingling, unusual smells, or flashing lights. When awareness is impaired, they are...
Seizures l: Introduction
Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
