Case Report

Volume: 1 | Issue: 2 | Published: Jan 01, 1970 | Pages: 69 - 73 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/1/17

Non-epileptic paroxysmal eyelid movements associated with generalized epilepsies: a challenge in assessing seizure burden


Authors: Ala Fadilah , Santosh R Mordekar


Article Info

Authors

Ala Fadilah

Department of Neurology, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom.

Santosh R Mordekar

Department of Neurology, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom.

Publication History

Received: March 02, 2017

Accepted: April 01, 2017

Published: January 01, 1970


Abstract


Background: Abnormal ocular movements may also mimic epileptic seizures, such as in paroxysmal tonic upward gaze, blepharospasm, ocular tics, and paroxysmal eyelid movements (PEM). From a diagnostic, management and prognostic perspective it is important to undertake an accurate assessment of whether abnormal ocular movements are epileptic in origin or not. Case Presentation: We present a child from a tertiary paediatric epilepsy centre in the United Kingdom with PEM associated with photoparoxysmal responses, which was a source of diagnostic confusion. EEG recordings captured the PEM episodes to confirm the diagnosis. Conclusion: The presentation of children with epilepsy with ocular abnormal movements, particularly in the presence of photoparoxysmal responses, should raise suspicion of possible PEM. Confirmation is essential by capturing these events on EEG.

Keywords: Epilepsy, myoclonia, non-epileptic, EEG, case report, green