[Zonisamide monotherapy against absence attacks: report of two cases]

We report two cases of absence seizures, in which zonisamide monotherapy was effective. In one case the attacks recurred 6 months after the beginning of zonisamide therapy but ceased again with an increase of the dosage. The EEG prior to treatment showed 3 Hz generalized spike-wave patterns and 3 Hz high voltage slow wave burst in the right occipital area in one case, and 3.5-4 Hz generalized spike-wave patterns and focal spike-wave complexes in the left frontal to central areas in the other. One of the generalized spike-wave patterns were preceded by right occipital delta wave burst in one case, and bilateral occipital sharp-wave complex in the other. It is suggested that zonisamide monotherapy may be effective against absence seizures with focal paroxysmal discharges.