title: Effectiveness of Rufinamide in the Treatment of Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy With Atypical Evolution: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
abstract: Rufinamide (RFD) is a novel drug that was recently approved as an adjunctive treatment for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Despite its reported effectiveness in generalized seizures (tonic, atonic, or tonic-clonic) in this syndrome, few data on its use in idiopathic generalized epilepsy are available. Indeed, the scientific evidence to date is limited to anecdotal cases or isolated clinical experiences. We report an uncommon, though paradigmatic, case of a woman affected by juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE) who, following a prolonged seizure-freedom period and the consequent withdrawal of valproate, presented a seizure relapse accompanied by a worsening in her electroclinical pattern. In view of this atypical evolution of JAE, characterized by drug-resistant seizures (absence and generalized tonic-clonic) and the progressive increase in electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities, several antiepileptic drugs were used, though to no benefit. The use of RFD instead led to a gradual control of the seizures and normalization of the EEG findings. In addition to this clinical experience, we briefly review the literature on the use of RFD in refractory generalized epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albini
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morano
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fanella
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lapenta
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy Neuromed Institute of Pozzilli (IS), University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casciato
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Jinane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fattouch
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manfredi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Teresa
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Giallonardo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy c_dibonaventura@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Bonaventura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014230:Triazoles; C079703:rufinamide
keywords: adults; antiepileptic drugs; electroencephalography; epilepsy; seizures