RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Ictal pain in focal non-convulsive status epilepticus
JF Practical Neurology
JO Pract Neurol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 400
OP 402
DO 10.1136/practneurol-2017-001623
VO 17
IS 5
A1 Sara Casciato
A1 Alessandra Morano
A1 Jinane Fattouch
A1 Martina Fanella
A1 Mariarita Albini
A1 Anna Teresa Giallonardo
A1 Carlo Di Bonaventura
YR 2017
UL http://pn.bmj.com/content/17/5/400.abstract
AB We report an adult with acute unilateral pain as isolated manifestation of acute symptomatic focal non-convulsive status epilepticus. Pain is rarely a manifestation of epileptic seizures. Traditionally, painful seizures have been thought to originate in either the parietal or temporal lobes, but their localising value is debatable. Recent functional neuroimaging studies and electrophysiological findings obtained by using intracerebral recordings have shown the involvement of the insular cortex along with several other brain structures in the processing of painful inputs, comprising a more widespread anatomo-functional network. Despite their rarity as a distinct clinical entity, especially in adults, painful somatosensory seizures can be disabling and misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis is common; it is therefore essential to consider epilepsy as a possible cause of paroxysmal pain to ensure proper assessment and appropriate treatment.