[Clinical and electroencephalogram study of 5 children with hypothalamic hamartoma].
We retrospectively studied 5 children with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) to elucidate the clinical, neuroimaging and electroencephalogram (EEG) characteristics of this disorder. In all cases, high resolution MRI scans demonstrated an intrahypothalamic mass protruding into the 3rd ventricle. An initial symptom was epileptic attack in 4 cases and precocious puberty in the remaining one. Gelastic seizures developed in 4 of 5 patients at ranging from 2 days to 11 years of age. The ictal EEGs during the gelastic seizures showed diffuse attenuation of background activity, followed by rhythmic slow discharges either diffusely or in the central area. Gamma-knife radiosurgery was performed on 2 cases whose seizures were resistant to available antiepileptic drugs. One of the 2 patients was responded significantly to this treatment, showing the disappearance of combined attacks and a marked reduction of the generalized spike-waves discharges. A more aggressive therapy, including gamma-knife radiosurgery and surgical treatment, should be considered for patients whose seizures are resistant to the medical treatment and causing deterioration of intelligence and behavioral problem.
Otsuka
Eiko
E
Departments of Pediatrics, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo. eitsuru@yahoo.co.jp
Oguni
Hirokazu
H
Funatsuka
Makoto
M
Usugi
Tomoko
T
Nakayama
Tomohiro
T
Hayashi
Kitami
K
Nagaki
Shigeru
S
Osawa
Makiko
M
Ono
Yuko
Y
Yamane
Fumitaka
F
Hori
Tomokatsu
T
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D016634:Radiosurgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies