Landau-Kleffner syndrome: A case of a rare epileptic syndrome
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Abstract
We report a case of a 5-year-old boy with seizures and regression of speech. He had a normal and uneventful birth history and a normal developmental course before the age of 5 years. He presented for admission to the hospital at the age of 5 years, with unprovoked tonic- clonic convulsions, which were followed by marked regression in speech. An electroencephalogram (EEG) showed brain electrical patterns of abnormal electrical discharges in the temporoparietal area of language control, in keeping with Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS). Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were normal. He was diagnosed with LKS and treatment with sodium valproate, risperidone and prednisone was initiated. Convulsions were controlled and he was discharged for follow-up as an outpatient.
Children with LKS may present with uncommon electroclinical presentation, hence more awareness and consideration of the disease is needed in the evaluation of children with language abnormalities and/or convulsive disorders in the 3- to 9-years age group. Further research is required to clearly describe its prevalence, clinical heterogenicity and more successful treatment modalities.
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