Parathyroid epilepsy with continuous EEG abnormality.

A prolonged state of unresponsiveness associated with continuous, bilaterally synchronous sharp and slow wave discharges of unusually long duration in a 31 year old male with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism was described. Diagnosis was established by determination of blood calcium, inorganic phosphorus and the Ellsworth-Howard test. The EEG abnormalities resemble those of "petit mal status" as described by Lennox and suggest a "centrencephalic epileptic manifestation."