Ictal onset and spreading of seizures of parietal lobe origin.

The characteristics of seizures associated with parietal lobe epilepsy were investigated in six consecutive patients with medically intractable epilepsy due to parietal lobe lesions. Intracranial electrode recordings were retrospectively reviewed to investigate the seizure onset symptoms and spreading patterns associated with the disorder. All six patients underwent implantation of subdural or depth electrodes and subsequent video/electroencephalography monitoring. Common symptoms included motionless stare, contralateral eye deviation, and head turn. Tonic posturing, contralateral sensory disturbance, and motor weakness were also seen. Asymmetrical generalized tonic and clonic seizures were seen in all six patients. All seizure activities began in the parietal lobe harboring the lesions, and then spread immediately to the adjacent lobes in most seizures, where the clinical symptoms were produced. The parietal lobe is a pure generator of seizures, whereas most clinical symptoms originate from adjacent lobes following seizure onset. No apparent specific symptoms other than sensory disturbance arising from the parietal lobe proper were recognized. Regardless of clinical symptoms, the seizure onset occurred in the parietal lobe harboring the lesion.