Unpleasant auditory illusions and related avoidance behaviour in a child.
Auditory aura is a rare symptom in focal epilepsy. It has been described in autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features, but is, in general, poorly documented. We report on a 7-year-old, right-handed boy, who suffered seizures characterized by positive auditory illusions with verbal and gestural automatisms and noticeable attempts at covering his ears. Clinical evaluation and video-recording of the seizures, confirmed that most of the ictal behavior was deliberately directed at trying to prevent the unpleasant sensations reaching his ears. [Published with video sequences].
Barba
Carmen
C
Department of Pediatric Neurosciences, Pediatric Hospital A Meyer, and University of Firenze, Italy. c.barba@meyer.it
Guerrini
Renzo
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001332:Automatism / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005868:Gestures; D006801:Humans; D007088:Illusions / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D014705:Verbal Behavior
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine