Epilepsia partialis continua of childhood involving bilateral brain hemispheres.

OBJECTIVE

Epilepsia partialis continua (Kojewnikow's syndrome) can be classified into 2 groups. The 1st group had stable neurological deficit, and the 2nd group had slowly progressive neurological deficit. The latter usually manifests not tetraplegia, but hemiplegia. We describe 3 patients with epilepsia partialis continua, rapid neurological and mental deterioration, resulting in tetraplegia and serious mental deficits within 2 to 3 years from the onset.

RESULTS

Their interictal EEGs showed progressive findings of deterioration, which resulted in an inactive pattern or a pattern reminiscent of suppression-burst within several years. Their cranial CTs revealed rapid progressive atrophy of both hemispheres. Various screening tests failed to confirm a metabolic disease, a degenerative disease, or an infectious disease in the central nervous system.

CONCLUSIONS

Frequent status epilepticus might contribute to the bilateral brain involvement and the serious neurological and mental outcomes in young patients with epileptia partialis continua.