title: Nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy presenting with restless leg syndrome-like symptoms.
abstract: We describe the case of a 22-year-old male affected by NFLE reporting paroxysmal RLS-like symptoms. The patient was referred to our Sleep Center due to nocturnal paresthesias and cramps involving the left leg and leading to sleep fragmentation. At age 4, the patient presented with secondary generalized seizures preceded by left leg discomfort, controlled on CBZ. After successive therapy discontinuation, leg symptoms built up in frequency and duration until a secondary generalized seizure re-occurred. On CBZ prompt resumption no further GM seizures occurred albeit persistence of night-time frequent cramps and paraesthesia. Sleep EEG demonstrated asymmetric interictal sharp theta on the right posterior frontal areas, whereas brain MRI results were consistent with a Taylor type right frontal cortical dysplasia. CBZ augmentation and add on therapy with LEV led to further frequency reduction of sensory symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Sleep Medicine Center, Messina Medical School, Messina, Italy. i.arico@alice.it
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aricò
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Condurso
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Granata
authors.forename: Lino
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nobili
authors.forename: Oliviero
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bruni
authors.forename: Rosalia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silvestri
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy; D017034:Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D054220:Malformations of Cortical Development / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D065703:Malformations of Cortical Development, Group I; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam