An unusual paroxysmal EEG pattern in mixed focal/generalized epilepsies

This report focuses on an unusual paroxysmal discharge: "compounded sharp waves," focal and mostly over frontotemporal regions, of high voltage, occurring mainly in sleep tracings of children with epileptic seizures. The duration of compounded sharp waves exceeds by far the maximum duration of classical sharp waves. In all of the three reported cases, there were also generalized-synchronous paroxysmal bursts and two children had spike-wave absences. The clinical significance of the focal discharge (in association with generalized bursts) remains unclear.