title: A neuropathological case-study of myoclonus epilepsy.
abstract: A 28-year-old male of progressive myoclonus epilepsy was reported, who had showed a gradual progression in myoclonus, mental retardation and cerebellar symptoms, and had been treated with a large dosage of diphenylhydantoin. Neuropathologically, slight degenerative changes of the cerebrl cortex, especially in the IV layer, the external pallidum, and the dentate and olivary nuclei were observed. The most obvious change was diffuse reduction of Purkinje's and granular cells in the cerebellum. A congenital cyst was found with surrounding gliosis in the central tegmental tract of the pons. A significant relationship between myoclonus and the cyst was proposed, and furthermore, influences of diphenylhydantoin intoxication on the clinicopathological development of myoclonus epilepsy were emphasized.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D003560:Cysts / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D010672:Phenytoin