Seizures induced by movement: report of a case relieved by operation

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
"Seizures induced by movement," which have recently been reported in the literature, are considered rare. A fairly uniform pattern is present which is characterized by the following: (1) a sudden tonic spasm involving the whole body but more often localized to one limb or one side of the body; (2) no clonic movements or loss of consciousness; (3) movements occasionally athetoid in form and beginning usually in childhood; (4) a duration of a few seconds to a minute but occurring frequently during each day; (5) precipitation, generally, by sudden movement and occurring more likely after a period of rest; (6) initiation more commonly by movements of the legs than movements of the arms; and (7) a state of emotional tension and a sensory aura often preceding the seizure. The case presented in this report had clinical and eeg data confirming its classification as a seizure of this type. The patient apparently has been completely cured by removal of a cicatrix located on the superior border of one hemisphere immediately in front of the primary motor cortex. The findings indicate that should treatment of such cases with anticonvulsant drugs fail, an exploratory craniotomy is warranted.