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Purpose: In children with symptomatic or idiopathic focal epilepsies, their disease may evolve into an epileptic encephalopathy related to continuous spike and wave during slow sleep (CSWS) or electrical status epilepticus during slow sleep (ESES). ESES syndrome implies serious risks of neuropsychologic impairment, and its treatment has frequently been disappointing. The aim of this study is to present our experience using sulthiame as add-on treatment in 53 patients with ESES syndrome that was refractory to other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)., Methods: Neurologic examinations, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and repeated prolonged sleep electroencephalography (EEG) studies were performed in all cases. Data about school achievements and or neuropsychological evaluations were obtained repeatedly during the follow-up of 1.5-16 years. Sulthiame was added in doses ranging between 5 and 30 mg/kg/day., Key Findings: Since add-on of sulthiame, 10 of 28 patients in the symptomatic group became seizure free: 4 patients with normal EEG studies and 6 with residual spikes. Nine of 28 patients showed a significant reduction in number of seizures and presented spikes but no ESES on EEG. The other nine cases showed neither clinical nor EEG improvement. A striking result was that 3 of 11 children with unilateral polymicrogyria and ESES syndrome became seizure free, and in another six a significant improvement in frequency of seizures and in EEG abnormalities seemed to be related to the add-on of sulthiame. Twenty-one of the 25 patients in the idiopathic group became seizure free and without ESES in <3 months after add on of sulthiame. In two of the patients the changes were seen in a few days., Significance: We understand that sulthiame may be effective as add-on treatment in children with ESES syndrome., (Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2012 International League Against Epilepsy.)

Purpose: We present a series of nine patients with early-onset hydrocephalus who had seizures and continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS) associated with neurocognitive and motor deterioration., Methods: Six boys and three girls aged 9-16 years (mean 11.3 years) were studied. [Correction added after online publication 12-Apr-2008: Number of girls and boys has been updated.] All patients underwent clinical examinations, electroencephalographic evaluations, neuroradiological imaging and neuropsychological assessment at first examination. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were given in all cases and changed according to clinical and EEG evolution., Results: Onset of epilepsy occurred from age 8 to 60 months (mean 19.6 months and median 14 months) with focal seizures with or without secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Between ages 6 and 13 years (mean 10.4 years and median 8 years), hyperkinesia, aggressiveness, and poor socialization appeared in all nine cases. Reduced attention span, deterioration of language, and temporospatial disorientation were found in three of them. Negative myoclonus was found in two patients. The EEG showed CSWS. Response to change in treatment was good in all patients. None of the patients had relapses, seven of them have remained seizure free, and two continued having sporadic focal motor seizures during 2-5 years (mean 3 years) of follow-up., Conclusion: In children with early-onset hydrocephalus, particularly with behavioral and language disturbances and/or motor deterioration, CSWS should be considered. Periodic EEG recordings during sleep should be done in these children. The early identification of this particular electroclinical picture is crucial to start adequate treatment to avoid progressive cognitive deterioration.

Objectives: To characterize the electroclinical features and evolution of Panayiotopoulos Syndrome (PS)., Methods: Children with electroclinical criteria of PS were prospectively identified and followed-up clinically, and with sleep and awake EEGs between February 1990 and 2006., Results: We identified 192 patients with PS. In the same length of time 398 children with benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BCECTS) were registered. PS had a peak age at onset of 5 years. Autonomic manifestations were one of the most common ictal event. Ictal deviation of the eyes and progression to generalized convulsions were also quite frequent. Approximately one third had partial status epilepticus. In all patients except five, the seizures occurred during sleep. One-third also had fits while awake. Sixteen children had concomitant symptoms of rolandic epilepsy and eight developed rolandic seizures after remission of PS seizures. Prognosis was excellent. Eighty-four (44.2%) had a single seizure, 79 (41.2%) had 2-5 fits, and 28 (14.6%) had frequent seizures., Conclusion: PS is less common than BCECTS, but is well defined and easily recognizable by clinical and EEG features, with autonomic manifestations as one of the most common ictal event.

Purpose: Polymicrogyria (PMG) is often associated with symptomatic focal epilepsy and neurologic dysfunction. We investigated the clinical and laboratory features of a group of children with congenital hemiparesis, unilateral polymicrogyria on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and a peculiar epileptic syndrome., Methods: Twelve patients (seven girls and five boys) with a mean age of 7.8 years (range, 5-13 years) were studied. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, computed tomography (CT) and MRI scanning, and neuropsychological assessment at initial examination. Patients were followed up from 1 to 7 years (mean, 4.5 years)., Results: Partial motor seizures with secondary generalization with onset between age 1 and 6 years (mean age, 2 years) were recorded in all patients. The course of epilepsy was similar in all patients with development of atypical absences, negative myoclonus, and gait difficulties. EEG recording demonstrated continuous spike-wave or bilateral abnormality throughout. Frequent relapses of the atonic and myoclonic seizures were seen in seven patients. However, during follow-up, seven patients were seizure free, and the others have not developed this particular seizure pattern. A single case underwent cortical resection 23 months ago and has had no seizures since then. Mental retardation was mild in nine and moderate in three patients., Conclusions: Children with unilateral polymicrogyria may develop a syndrome of negative myoclonus seizures that appears to be age specific and responsive to antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment. Despite limited follow-up time, a good outcome was observed in most cases.