Clinical features and evolution of the gelastic seizures–hypothalamic hamartoma syndrome. (7th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Striano, Salvatore; Striano, Pasquale
• Is Part Of: Epilepsia. Volume 58(2017)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2017-06-07
• Subjects: Gelastic seizures -- Gelastic epilepsy -- Hypothalamic hamartoma -- Epilepsy syndrome -- Natural history; Epilepsy -- Periodicals; 616.853
• DOI: 10.1111/epi.13753
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-9580

Abstract

Summary: Gelastic seizures, usually with onset in early infancy, are the hallmark manifestation of hypothalamic hamartoma. This seizure type is directly generated by hamartoma itself, intrinsically epileptogenic because of its anatomofunctional organization. Other types of seizures, focal or generalized, may appear during the evolution, probably resulting from mechanisms of secondary epileptogenesis. Nevertheless, the clinical expression and the severity of the syndrome, ranging from a focal drug‐resistant epilepsy to a catastrophic generalized encephalopathy with severe cognitive and behavioral impairments, depends on the size and the site of attachment of the hamartoma. Early suspicion, timely diagnosis, and appropriate treatment are mandatory to reverse a potential catastrophic evolution of this condition.