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Idiopathic generalized epilepsy with phantom absences, absence status, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures: A case
Yongning Jiang1, Xiangqin Zhou2
1Department of Neurology, Dandong Central Hospital, Liaoning, China.
Rationale:
Phantom absences refer to mild and short-lasting absence seizures, which are usually accompanied by infrequent generalized tonic-clonic seizures and absence status. Generally, phantom absences do not impair the individual neurological functions. Herein, we report the case of a young woman with idiopathic generalized epilepsy, phantom absences, absence status, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Patient Concerns:
A 31-year-old woman presented with a 16-year history of paroxysmal convulsions.
Diagnoses:
Electroencephalogram (EEG) showed recurrent universal and synchronized 3~4 Hz spike waves and spike-slow waves in the interictal phase with normal background activity. During the ictal phases, EEG revealed bursts of 3~4 Hz spike waves and spike-slow waves that were universal, synchronized, and symmetrical. Additionally, there was 1 seizure episode induced by a 3-Hz flash in the current case. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of idiopathic generalized epilepsy was made.
Interventions:
The patient was treated with oral sodium valproate, and the epileptic seizures were controlled.
Outcomes:
The frequency of absence seizures was significantly reduced and there were no generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Lessons:
Idiopathic generalized epilepsy with phantom absences, absence status, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures is an extremely rare condition. EEG is the exclusive method for diagnosis. Antiepileptic drugs are effective for controlling epileptic seizures in this disease.
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