Alberto Verrotti1, Sara Casciato2, Alberto Spalice2, Marco Carotenuto3, Pasquale Striano4, Pasquale Parisi5, Nelia Zamponi6, Salvatore Savasta7, Victoria Elisa Rinaldi8, Renato D'Alonzo8, Federico Mecarini8, Anthony J Ritaccio9, Giancarlo Di Gennaro10. 1. Department of Paediatrics, University of L'Aquila, Italy. Electronic address: alberto.verrottidipianella@univaq.it. 2. Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. 3. Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Naples, Italy. 4. Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health University of Genoa, "G. Gaslini" Institute, Genova, Italy. 5. Child Neurology &Paediatric Headache Centre, Chair of Paediatrics, NESMOS Dpt, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Faculty of Medicine & Psychology, Rome, Italy. 6. Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, Salesi Hospital, Ancona, Italy. 7. Department of Pediatrics, University of Pavia, Italy. 8. Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. 9. Department of Neurology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA. 10. IRCCS "NEUROMED", Pozzilli, IS, Italy.
Abstract
AIM: Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) and benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) are the most common forms of childhood epilepsy. Recent studies in animal models suggest that the two phenotypes may represent a neurobiological continuum. Although the coexistence of CAE and BECTS has been reported, this issue remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyse the electro-clinical characteristics of a group of children with contemporary or subsequent features of absence seizures and focal seizures consistent with BECTS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic record review from 8 epilepsy centres was used to identify 11 subjects, 5 females and 6 males, with electro-clinical documented consecutive or contemporary coexistence of CAE and BECTS. RESULTS: Patient's age ranged between 7.8 and 17.3 years. Four out of 11 patients presented concomitant features of both syndromes, whereas the remaining 7 experienced the two syndromes at different times. CONCLUSIONS: Although CAE and BECTS are clearly defined syndromes and considered very different in terms of their pathophysiology, they share some features (such as similar age of onset, overall good prognosis), and can occur in the same patient. The long term prognosis of these patients seems to be good with an excellent response to anticonvulsant therapy.
AIM: Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) and benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) are the most common forms of childhood epilepsy. Recent studies in animal models suggest that the two phenotypes may represent a neurobiological continuum. Although the coexistence of CAE and BECTS has been reported, this issue remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyse the electro-clinical characteristics of a group of children with contemporary or subsequent features of absence seizures and focal seizures consistent with BECTS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic record review from 8 epilepsy centres was used to identify 11 subjects, 5 females and 6 males, with electro-clinical documented consecutive or contemporary coexistence of CAE and BECTS. RESULTS:Patient's age ranged between 7.8 and 17.3 years. Four out of 11 patients presented concomitant features of both syndromes, whereas the remaining 7 experienced the two syndromes at different times. CONCLUSIONS: Although CAE and BECTS are clearly defined syndromes and considered very different in terms of their pathophysiology, they share some features (such as similar age of onset, overall good prognosis), and can occur in the same patient. The long term prognosis of these patients seems to be good with an excellent response to anticonvulsant therapy.