Related Experiment Videos
[Epileptic vomiting]
Revue D'Electroencephalographie Et De Neurophysiologie Clinique
|March 1, 1987
Summary
Epilepsy can cause unusual symptoms like vomiting seizures. This case study highlights how electroencephalogram (EEG) identified epileptic discharges in the temporal lobe, leading to effective treatment with carbamazepine.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epileptology
Background:
- Complex partial seizures and secondary generalized epilepsy can present with varied symptoms.
- Epilepsy manifesting solely as vomiting is rare and can be diagnostically challenging.
Observation:
- A 17-year-old female experienced complex partial seizures, secondary generalized epilepsy, and seizures presenting exclusively as vomiting.
- Initial neurological, laboratory, radiological studies, and brain CT were unremarkable.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) during ictal vomiting revealed bisynchronous spike-and-wave and sharp slow-wave discharges.
- Interictal EEG showed a paroxysmal focus in the right temporo-occipital region with a photoconvulsant effect upon light stimulation.
Findings:
- The EEG findings strongly indicated an epileptic origin for the vomiting seizures.
- The right temporo-occipital focus and temporal lobe involvement, specifically Ammon's horn, were implicated.
- Carbamazepine therapy resulted in the patient remaining seizure-free for four years.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of EEG in diagnosing rare epilepsy presentations.
- Vomiting as an epileptic manifestation may originate from temporal lobe discharges.
- Understanding the specific epileptic foci can guide targeted and effective anticonvulsant therapy.