Abstracts

Myoclonic Status in Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Abstract number : 2.114
Submission category :
Year : 2000
Submission ID : 517
Source : www.aesnet.org
Presentation date : 12/2/2000 12:00:00 AM
Published date : Dec 1, 2000, 06:00 AM

Authors :
Aman K Badhwar, Francois Dubeau, Eva Andermann, Frederick Andermann, Montreal Neurological Hosp and Institute, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

RATIONALE: Myoclonic status in Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy is an unusual clinical pattern. Diagnosis due to its unpredictability is based on clinical descriptions. METHODS: A home video of myoclonus status will be shown. RESULTS: We present a home video recording of myoclonic status epilepticus in a young woman with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. This patient had a long history of limited compliance and manifested by irregular sleep. The description was originally suggestive of clonic seizures, but identification of the actual seizure type rested on video evidence. Inappropriate medication (carbamazepine) may have contributed to the poor seizure control. CONCLUSIONS: Occasional patients have recurrent myoclonic status, but little tendency to generalized clonic tonic clonic attacks. Recognition of the pattern, adjustment of lifestyle and appropriate antiepileptic medications are essential.