[Hemicerebral atrophy and epilepsy in an adult]

We report the case of a 49 year-old man who presented a partial status epilepticus with left-sided clonic seizures after the occurrence of a left cerebral hematoma. The patient had left-side hemiplegia that progressively recovered in 3 months. Neuroimaging studies revealed a moderate cerebral atrophy on the right side and crossed cerebellar atrophy. Six years later, he had a partial status epilepticus with left hamiconvulsions leading to permanent left hemiplegia. The right cerebral and the left cerebellar atrophy observed one year later were significantly increased. Cerebral hemiatrophy associated with epilepsy in adulthood is exceptional. Our case suggests that the occurrence of partial status epilepticus, even during adulthood, may aggravate cerebral hemiatrophy formally silent.