[Epilepsy, cerebral calcifications and celiac disease].
Epilepsy, frequently with complex partial seizures, is observed in 5.5 p. 100 of all cases of celiac sprue. Bilateral parieto-occipital calcifications in the cortical or subcortical areas are found in about one-half of these patients. This triple association is apparently not fortuitous. Prognosis of epilepsy would depend on how early the gluten-free diet was started. The diagnosis of celiac sprue should be entertained in patients with brain calcifications and epilepsy. Search for anti-endomysium antibodies could provide useful information although villosity atrophy in the proximal portion of the small bowel and its regression with gluten-free diet remain the essential elements for the diagnosis of celiac sprue.
Ferroir
J P
JP
Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Tenon, Paris.
Fénelon
G
G
Billy
C
C
Huon
R
R
Herry
J P
JP
D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications*; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011379:Prognosis