Dysphasia accompanied by periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurophysiology

Background:

• Epileptic dysphasia is a rare condition characterized by language disturbances during seizures.
• Periodic Lateralized Epileptiform Discharges (PLEDs) are abnormal EEG findings often associated with focal brain insults.

Observation:

• A 67-year-old male presented with recurrent dysphasia coinciding with PLEDs on electroencephalogram (EEG).
• The patient experienced a persistent partial seizure originating in the left hemisphere, manifesting as dysphasia.

Findings:

• A strong correlation was observed between the patient's dysphasia and the presence of PLEDs.
• Unlike previously reported cases, this patient exhibited PLEDs alongside epileptic dysphasia.
• Carbamazepine effectively terminated the seizure, whereas valproate did not.

Implications:

• This case suggests PLEDs can cause significant, yet reversible, functional neurological deficits.
• The findings may enhance the understanding of the pathophysiology underlying epileptic dysphasia.
• This highlights the importance of EEG monitoring in diagnosing and managing complex seizure presentations.