Temporal lobe epilepsy as a unique manifestation of multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To report on five patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) as the unique manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Among 350 consecutive MS patients, we identified 16/350 (4.6%) who also had epileptic seizures. Here, we review their electrophysiological and clinical features.


RESULTS
Five of these 16 patients (four female, one male; mean age 34.2 years; range 31 to 38) with MS and epileptic seizures had an extremely homogeneous clinical picture characterized by TLE as the unique manifestation of MS, even at long follow-up (mean: five years; range 4 to 10). In all patients, seizures started in the second or third decade. Brain MRI revealed at least one juxta-cortical lesion within the temporal region. Antiepileptic medication was always effective.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study provides the first evidence of a peculiar form of MS characterized by TLE as the unique manifestation of the disease with no disability or MS relapses at long-term follow-up.
Gambardella
Antonio
A
Institute of Neurology, School of Medicine, Catanzaro, Italy.
Valentino
Paola
P
Labate
Angelo
A
Sibilia
Grazia
G
Ruscica
Francesca
F
Colosimo
Eleonora
E
Nisticò
Rita
R
Messina
Demetrio
D
Zappia
Mario
M
Quattrone
Aldo
A
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000927:Anticonvulsants