Ictal and nonictal paroxysmal events in infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy: polygraphic study of a case.

A 7.5-year-old girl, with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD), showed a gradual deterioration from 16 months; at age 5 years she was bedridden, with severe tetraplegia, strabismus, nystagmus and optic atrophy, and dementia. From age 5.5 years, she had paroxysmal tonic events. Videopolygraphic recordings disclosed two different kinds of motor events: (a) epileptic tonic seizures, in wakefulness and sleep, associated with autonomic changes and ictal EEG discharges; and (b) nonepileptic prolonged clusters of brief tonic spasms, without ictal modifications of the EEG. Both motor events were characterized by a minimal and clinically similar tonic contraction of the upper extremities. Video-polygraphic studies are mandatory for a correct paroxysmal event classification and treatment in INAD patients.