Seizures as a presenting feature of late onset metachromatic leukodystrophy.
OBJECTIVE
We describe 2 patients with epilepsy as an early manifestation of late onset metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD).


RESULTS
The first patient presented with epileptic seizures at the age of 34 years while neurological and cognitive abnormalities appeared later. MRI findings were compatible with leukodystrophy and low levels of arylsulphatase-A activity confirmed MLD. The second patient developed epileptic seizures and behavioral disturbances at the age of 19 years. She remained stable and seizure free for 8 years. Afterwards she developed uncontrolled epileptic seizures and status epilepticus as well as neurological and cognitive impairment. Leukodystrophy was diagnosed by MRI findings and low levels of arylsulphatase-A activity were compatible with MLD.


CONCLUSIONS
Our 2 cases postulate that epileptic seizures may be an early and prominent manifestation of late onset MLD.
Bostantjopoulou
S
S
3rd Department of Neurology, University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Katsarou
Z
Z
Michelakaki
H
H
Kazis
A
A
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002553:Cerebroside-Sulfatase / Q000172:deficiency*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007966:Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000209:etiology
D002553:Cerebroside-Sulfatase