BOURNEVILLES TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS AND CHILDHOOD EPILEPSY

The authors report four cases of childhood epilepsy symptomatic of tub erous sclerosis. Epilepsy appeared in the forefront of the epileptic s cene: in two cases, the features of epilepsy were haut mai and in two cases, WEST'S syndrome. Epileptic seizures began precociously for all children. Mental retardation was identified in three cases with one ca se of autistic behaviour Diagnosis was possible given skin lesions, fa mily investigations, and X-ray of the skull. Brain scanners were not c arried out on any of the children. Whilst recognizing the scarcity of BOURNEVILLE'S tuberous sclerosis, the authors point out the need for i nterdisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis of rare but not except ionnal hereditary affections.