Focal epileptic seizure induced by transient hypoglycaemia in insulin-treated diabetes.
Hypoglycaemia, common in diabetic patients treated with insulin, can induce various neurological disturbances. Of these, seizures are the most common acute symptom, mainly of the generalised tonic-clonic type, with focal events only exceptionally being reported and documented. Hypoglycaemia can modify cortical excitability by determining an imbalance between excitation and inhibition; some brain structures, such as the temporal lobe and hippocampus, appear to be particularly susceptible to this insult. We describe a case of a 61-year-old diabetic patient in whom insulin-induced transient hypoglycaemia triggered a focal seizure of temporal origin that was well documented by EEG during 24-hour ambulatory monitoring. This is, to our knowledge, one of the few, well-documented cases of this type of seizure.
Department of Neurological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I, University of Rome, Italy. malvezz@hotmail.it
Leonardo
L
Lapenta
Carlo
C
Di Bonaventura
Jinane
J
Fattouch
Francesca
F
Bonini
Simona
S
Petrucci
Silvia
S
Gagliardi
Sara
S
Casciato
Mario
M
Manfredi
Massimiliano
M
Prencipe
Anna Teresa
AT
Giallonardo
D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology
D007328:Insulin