Epileptic seizures difficult to differentiate from alternating hemiplegia in infants: a case report

Brain Dev. 1990;12(5):521-4. doi: 10.1016/s0387-7604(12)80219-1.

Abstract

A child with epileptic seizures had a clinical course similar to that of alternating hemiplegia of infancy (AHI). Tonic hemiplegia began at 2 months of age, and atonic alternating hemiplegia and tetraplegic attacks began at 2 years of age. Clinical findings were paroxysmal ocular movement abnormalities, choreoathetotic involuntary movements, and severe developmental retardation. An interictal EEG at 6 years of age showed multiple independent spike discharges. An ictal EEG showed diffuse irregular spike-wave and slow wave bursts following focal spikes. The present case suggests that a long-term extensive follow-up is necessary to differentiate epileptic seizures from AHI.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electroencephalography
  • Hemiplegia / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Male
  • Seizures / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes