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Post-traumatic seizure with an unexpected finding
Christine Brittain1, Gautam Ambegaonkar1
1Department of Paediatric Neurology, Child Development Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Insights
A prolonged seizure in a child prompted investigation into potential causes. Further evaluation revealed cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), suggesting a genetic link and guiding subsequent diagnostic steps.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- A 5-year-old boy presented with a prolonged seizure after a minor head injury.
- Initial examination revealed no acute neurological deficits or abnormal vital signs.
Observation:
- Initial imaging identified parenchymal lesions in the frontal and parietal lobes.
- MRI suggested possibilities including hemorrhagic cavernous malformations, metastases, or infected lesions like tuberculomas.
Findings:
- The mother's medical history and MRI scans showed multiple cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs).
- This finding strongly suggested a familial or genetic basis for the child's lesions.
Implications:
- Investigating a potential genetic etiology for CCMs is crucial.
- Further diagnostic steps should consider the family history and the confirmed presence of CCMs.
Abstract:
A 5-year-old boy of non-consanguineous Indian descent presented to the emergency department (ED) following a prolonged seizure, preceded by a minor head injury from a low-level unwitnessed fall. The seizure was described as focal with head and neck version to the right. There was urinary and faecal incontinence and foaming at the mouth. The seizure lasted for 30 min, following which the child made a rapid recovery and had no neurological deficit when examined in the ED. His initial observations were unremarkable, with him being afebrile, normotensive and having a blood sugar of 4.6 mmol/L. QUESTION 1: Which imaging modality, if any, should be performed? QUESTION 2: Initial imaging showed two parenchymal lesions, one within the left frontal lobe and the other in the right parietal lobe with possible areas of blood or calcification. MRI (figure 1A,B) was urgently undertaken and reported as likely to be either haemorrhage into cavernomatous malformations, haemorrhagic metastases or haemorrhage within infected lesions such as tuberculomas.What would be the most useful next step in view of the differential diagnosis?CT chest and abdomenPerform a C-reactive proteinPerform a Mantoux testRefer to neurosurgeryTake a detailed family history QUESTION 3: As the patient remained stable on the ward, with no signs of focal neurology and no mass effects on MRI, a lumbar puncture was performed the following day to exclude tuberculosis (TB) (table 1). What cell appearance would indicate TB infection? QUESTION 4: A review of the mother's medical records and MRI scans revealed her to have multiple discrete cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) (figure 2).In view of this new information, what is the next step in investigating this child?
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