Epileptogenesis due to peripheral injury as a cause of focal epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
To report three patients in whom focal epilepsy developed shortly after painful soft tissue injuries to their hands.


METHODS
Case reports.


RESULTS
The attacks started in the injured hand. No evidence was found of an underlying brain lesion by history or from imaging studies.


CONCLUSIONS
These cases suggest the possibility that the injuries led to a plastic change in the sensory/motor cortex, leading to increased excitability and ultimately to seizures. This suggests that epileptogenesis can occur in response to painful peripheral stimuli in some individuals.
Spiller
Allison E
AE
Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
Guberman
Alan
A
Bartolomei
Fabrice
F
Zifkin
Benjamin
B
Andermann
Frederick
F
D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020195:Epilepsy, Reflex / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology