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Partial epilepsy presenting as focal paroxysmal pain
1Pediatric Neurology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
Neurology
|February 1, 1988
Summary
Paroxysmal pain in children can rarely signal a partial seizure disorder. Anticonvulsant medication effectively managed these unexplained painful episodes in a young child.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
- Pain is an unusual presenting symptom for pediatric seizure disorders.
Observation:
- A previously healthy 3-year-old child presented with episodes of left thigh pain.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) revealed epileptiform activity in the right parietal and posterior temporal regions.
Findings:
- The child's painful episodes were diagnosed as partial seizures.
- Treatment with anticonvulsant medication successfully controlled the pain.
Implications:
- This case highlights that paroxysmal, unexplained pain can be an initial manifestation of partial seizures in children.
- Clinicians should consider seizure disorders in the differential diagnosis of unexplained pediatric pain.