Intractable epilepsy

A 26-year-old female had her first partial seizure at the age of five years. Further seizures occurred and later became generalised in nature. Control of the seizures became difficult despite the use of nine different anticonvulsants over a period of 20 years. She was not suitable for neurosurgical intervention because of the diffuse nature of her seizures. Cerebellar stimulation had only a marginal effect on seizure frequency. With time she became mentally retarded and was unable to benefit from formal education. Her illness demonstrates many of the long-term clinical features and management problems of intractable epilepsy.