Postictal behaviour in temporal lobe epilepsy.
Postictal phenomena such as nose-wiping, coughing and hypersalivation are believed to reflect a purposeful reaction to hypersecretion after regaining consciousness following a complex partial seizure, and are very common in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, particularly in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Nose-wiping is usually performed with the hand ipsilateral to the side of seizure onset. Our patient illustrates an unusual, exaggerated postictal behaviour consisting of long-lasting nose-wiping, coughing and guttural sounds following a complex partial seizure due to right mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. [Published with video sequences].
Caicoya
Anne G
AG
Unidad de Epilepsia, Servicio de Neurología, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
Serratosa
José M
JM
D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000523:psychology; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000523:psychology*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012640:Seizures / Q000523:psychology*