[Complex partial epileptic seizures as the initial symptom of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis]

A 18 year-old boy, without a previous history, presented with psychomotor seizures and, 4 months after, mental deterioration. EEG showed focal epileptic abnormalities characterized by high amplitude spike waves in the left temporal region. Periodic complexes appeared after administration of Diazepam. CT scan showed mild cortical atrophy in the left temporal region. Measles virus HI antibody titers were 1/2048 in the serum and 1/64 in the CSF. The patient died one year after the first complex partial seizures.