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Biomedical subjects

J Barrasa

Publications and source records attributed to J Barrasa.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Cryptogenic gelastic epilepsy of frontal lobe origin: a paediatric case report.

Gelastic (laughing) seizures are an uncommon seizure type which in most cases has an organic cerebral pathology and specifically a hypothalamic hamartoma. The interictal EEG frequently shows focal activity. This report describes a 3 1/2-year-old boy who presented with episodes of unmotivated laughter associated with other epileptic symptomatology before the age of 3 years. Prolonged ambulatory EEG monitoring recorded electroclinical seizures starting in the right frontal area and spreading to the adjacent frontotemporal region. Neurological examination and brain magnetic resonance imaging were normal. Vigabatrin resulted in immediate remission of the seizures and normalization of the EEG.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed1998

Abdominal epilepsy in an adolescent with bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria.

PURPOSE: We report a patient with recurrent episodes of severe periumbilical pain accompanied by headache, pallor, dizziness, and visual hallucinations who was subsequently diagnosed as having abdominal epilepsy and a bilateral sylvian cortical malformation. METHODS AND RESULTS: During an EEG examination, the patient had a simple partial seizure, manifested as intense abdominal pain. The ictal EEG showed a focal electrographic seizure arising from the left frontotemporal region. Computed tomography scan was normal; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed asymmetric lesions involving both sylvian fissures compatible with polymicrogyria. Onset of treatment with sodium valproate was followed by a significant reduction of seizures. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal epilepsy should be suspected in adolescents or adults with paroxysmal episodes of abdominal pain associated with migraine-like symptoms. EEG and MRI investigations are indicated. A developmental brain disorder should be considered as a possible etiology.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1990

[Course of the visual evoked potentials in intracranial tuberculous granuloma].

The case in study is a 13-year-old male with tubercular granuloma in the optic chiasma, affecting the right optic nerve and causing temporary loss of vision in that eye. Evoked visual potentials are performed and a first examination reveals that loss of vision was preceded by an alteration of response through the right optical path. The physiopathology is discussed and an evolutionary study of the lesion is made, evaluating the usefulness of EVPs in the diagnosis and follow-up in these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Vigabatrin and alterations of the visual field].

INTRODUCTION: Since 1997 when Ecke et al described peripheral constriction of the visual field in three patients taking vigabatrin (VGB), and persistence of the changes after the drug was stopped, study of the visual fields of persons taking this antiepileptic drug has increased. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ocular repercussions of monotherapy with carbamazepine (CBZ), valproate (VPA) and VGB in children with epilepsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a blind retrospective study to evaluate visual side effects using Goldmann's campimetry and direct ophthalmoscopy in 9 children treated for 2.1 years with CBZ, 12 children treated with VPA for 3.1 years and 12 children treated for 2.1 years with VGB, all as monotherapy. In recent years visual evoked potentials (VEP) have also been assessed before starting treatment and every six months during treatment. RESULTS: One child treated with CBZ had changes in vision (blurred vision which disappeared on reducing the dose), 3 treated with VGB (diplopia which disappeared spontaneously in 2 and after reducing the dose in 1) and none of the group treated with VPA had these symptoms. All the campimetry done was found to be normal. Two of the 12 children treated with VGB had reduction in the amplitude of VEP, which became normal later. CONCLUSIONS: Since the changes in vision caused by VGB seem to be irreversible and asymptomatic in most cases, campimetric study is advisable in patients taking VGB, both when starting treatment and whilst this is being continued.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Electro-clinical concordance for childhood absence epilepsy in monozygotic twins].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to analyze the EEG tracings during the seizures of two monozygotic twins, shown on molecular analysis, diagnosed as having infantile epilepsy with absences. The recordings are particularly interesting since the genotypes of the patients are identical. This allowed comparison between the similarities and differences in discharges so that they could be better defined. RESULTS: The 3 Hz spike and wave complexes were the same as the classical descriptions in typical absences. No 'W' spike and wave complexes morphology, discharge fragmentation or light induction of the discharges were observed. There was some differences in the duration of absences, which were much shorter in one twin girl. The duration of the seizures was variable, and sometimes similar to that described as characteristic in other types of generalized idiopathic epilepsies with absences. It would seem therefore that the duration of the seizure is not a criterion for differentiation between the different types of generalized idiopathic epilepsies. CONCLUSION: Concordance, both clinical and of seizure EEG recordings in our patients confirmed that there is a specific electroclinical phenotype in infantile epilepsy with absences, although individual variations may also occur.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Reflex epilepsy from hot water: a new case and review of the literature].

INTRODUCTION: In approximately 5% of epilepsy patients, seizures are triggered off by a specific sensory stimulus, in other words, they have reflex epilepsies. Among these, seizures triggered off by hot water are exceptional, and especially so in our community as nearly all the cases have been reported as occurring in India. CASE REPORT: Our case involves a 2 year old girl who, from the first weeks onwards, presented bouts of paleness, hypotonia and loss of consciousness when her head came into contact with hot water. The findings from clinical, neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies are described and there was a good response to treatment with valproate. DISCUSSION: The induction of epileptic seizures by immersion in hot water has only rarely been reported in western countries. Its physiopathology remains unknown but genetic factors that determine an alteration in cranial thermoregulation seem to be involved. With similar clinical and electroencephalographic characteristics in patients, the prognosis is usually favourable because of a good response to pharmacological treatment and the tendency toward spontaneous remission of the seizures.

Anticonvulsants↗