title: Generalized epilepsy and classic spike-wave discharges with unilateral thalamic lesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) is a heterogeneous condition with a predominantly genetic origin. Clinical hallmarks of IGE syndromes include generalized spike and wave discharges and normal results on brain imaging.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe 2 patients with clinical presentations compatible with IGE but whose imaging studies revealed unilateral thalamic lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case reports.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two 21-year-old patients (1 man and 1 woman).
  
  
  METHODS
  Magnetic resonance imaging findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Magnetic resonance imaging unexpectedly revealed unilateral thalamic lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend doing magnetic resonance imaging studies in patients with IGE, especially in refractory or atypical cases. In rare cases, clinical features compatible with IGE may be associated with structural thalamic or other lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Université de Montréal (Hôpital Notre-Dame), 1560 Sherbrooke E., Montréal, Quebec. d.nguyen@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Dang K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Ala B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Podubnaia
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carmant
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guilbert
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cossette
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D013788:Thalamus / Q000473:pathology*