title: Acute transient deafness representing a negative epileptic phenomenon.
abstract: We report herein 2 children who presented with acute deafness heralding an epileptic event manifesting thereafter by loss of consciousness and tonic generalized posturing, possibly reflecting a negative epileptic phenomenon. The first previously healthy male had 2 paroxysmal episodes 7 months apart, starting with acute deafness lasting for a few minutes followed by loss of consciousness and generalized tonic posturing for 10 minutes. Electroencephalography (EEG) during the second episodes demonstrated generalized epileptiform discharges. The second with previously controlled partial complex seizures presented with episodes of complete deafness lasting for a few minutes followed by loss of consciousness and focal tonic posturing lasting 10 minutes. Such acute deafness represented an aura of a focal seizure substantiated by right focal temporal epileptic discharges within the region of the primary auditory cortex. Therefore, EEG should be performed in any case of acute transient deafness, even in the absence of accompanying overt clinical seizures.
authors.affiliation: Child Neurology Unit and Epilepsy Service, Meyer Children Hospital, Rambam Medical Center, Rappaport School of Medicine, Haifa, Israel. e_shahar@rambam.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shahar
authors.forename: Sarit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ravid
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Genizi
authors.forename: Aharon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schif
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003638:Deafness / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants