Partial seizures manifesting as apnea only in an adult

Citation
Hw. Lee et al., Partial seizures manifesting as apnea only in an adult, EPILEPSIA, 40(12), 1999, pp. 1828-1831
Citations number
14
Categorie Soggetti
Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
EPILEPSIA
ISSN journal
00139580 → ACNP
Volume
40
Issue
12
Year of publication
1999
Pages
1828 - 1831
Database
ISI
SICI code
0013-9580(199912)40:12<1828:PSMAAO>2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
Purpose: Although several cases of apneic seizures have been reported in ne onates, epileptic seizures presenting as apnea only in adults are very rare . We present a case report of a 19-year-old man with viral encephalitis and frequent episodes of apneic seizures. Methods: Prolonged electroencephalograms (EEGs), repiratory monitorings, an d imaging including ictal-interictal subtraction single photon emission com puted tomography (SPECT) coregistered with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. Results: Ictal EEGs recorded during apneic episodes showed repetitive sharp waves or rhythmic theta activity arising from the left or right independen t bitemporal region. Ictal SPECT was performed during one episode of apnea that showed ictal EEG discharges arising from the left posterior temporal a rea. Ictal-interictal subtraction SPECT coregistered with MRI revealed that the seizures originated from the left,posterior, midlateral temporal corte x. Conclusions: Previous studies with ictal EEG or brain stimulation suggest t hat apneic seizures might be mediated through the limbic and associated cor tical systems. Our study reports on a very rare case of partial seizures wi th apnea only in an adult patient and is supported by ictal EEG and ictal-i nterictal subtraction SPECT coregistered with MRI.