Epileptic negative myoclonus: SPECT, PET, and video/EEG studies and the dramatic effects of levetiracetam.
An 18-year-old woman presented with epileptic negative myoclonus (ENM) as her major seizure pattern for 4years. Her seizures were characterized by intermittent postural lapse of the right limbs for a period of hours to 2 days. Ictal electroencephalography (EEG)-electromyography showed a silent period that was time-locked to generalized spike-wave discharges. Video/EEG monitoring demonstrated marked improvement of ENM after oral administration of levetiracetam. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging was normal, but 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography during frequent ENM showed hypometabolism in the left frontoparietal cortex. Technetium-99m-ethyl cysteinate dimer single-photon emission computed tomography revealed hyperperfusion over the left parietal cortex and putamen. Here, we document the short-term effects of levetiracetam in this subject with nearly isolated ENM and the neuroimaging results during ENM. Long-term follow-up is in progress to evaluate the clinical evolution and long-term effects of levetiracetam on ENM.
Department of Neurology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. hyyu@vghtpe.gov.tw
Hsiang-Yu
HY
Yu
Shang-Yeong
SY
Kwan
Jiing-Feng
JF
Lirng
Kwong-Kum
KK
Liao
Yum-Kung
YK
Chu
Shu-Quinn
SQ
Liao
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam