Pearls & Oy-sters: Frontal lobe epilepsy presenting as complex stereotyped movements

A 14-year-old boy presented to the University of Rochester Pediatric Movement Disorder clinic for abnormal movements of 1 year’s duration. He was referred to the Movement Disorder clinic for evaluation of complex tics. His movements were stereotyped and often preceded by a blank stare, sometimes associated with a "guttural sound." He also reported having a "numb" sensation prior to the movements. He denied volitional control of the movements or ability to suppress them. He reported movements only occurring during the day although parents recalled a period of nightly episodes witnessed while sharing a hotel room with him. They occurred both at home and at school. His abnormal movement episodes were about 10–15 seconds in duration and followed by immediate return to normal activities (see video at Neurology.org). At the time of our evaluation, he was having over 10 episodes a day.
Source: Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: All Pediatric, Adolescence, All Epilepsy/Seizures, Complex partial seizures RESIDENT AND FELLOW SECTION Source Type: research