EPILEPSIA PARTIALIS CONTINUA IN A CASE OF MELAS - CLINICAL AND NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY

There are few reports in the literature dealing with the association b etween mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and st roke-like episodes (MELAS) and epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) in c hildren. We report the case of a child presenting with numerous stroke -like episodes associated with EPC which, despite therapy, were not co ntrolled and aggravated the clinical condition of our patient. We pres ent the neuroradiological. biochemical, genetic and muscle biopsy find ings, and EEG characteristics, with. attention to polygraphic recordin gs which were done during wake and sleep periods. We consider the corr elation with other possible etiological factors relating to EPC and in particular co-involvement of the basal ganglia as a cause of EPC in o ur patient.