[Diagnostic role of axillary skin biopsy in Lafora's disease]

Skin biopsies from axilla were examined in seven patients with manifestations of progressive myoclonic epilepsy. In seven chronic epileptics with general tonic clonic seizures receiving antiepileptic drugs and in five normal adults (one is patient's father), who served as controls. In three patients with progressive myoclonic epilepsy, typical PAS-positive lafora bodies were found in the cells of the eccrine duct. Axillary skin biopsy might be a convenient method for diagnosing Lafora's disease.