Abdominal epilepsy as an unusual cause ofabdominal pain: A case report

Abstract

Abstract:Introduction: Abdominal pain, in etiology sometimes difficult to be defined, is a frequent complaint in childhood. Abdominal epilepsy is a rare cause of abdominal pain. Objectives: In this article, we report on 5 year old girl patient with abdominal epilepsy. Methods: Some investigations (stool investigation, routine blood tests, ultrasonography (USG), electrocardiogram (ECHO) and electrocardiograpy (ECG), holter for 24hr.) were done to understand the origin of these complaints; but no abnormalities were found. Finally an EEG was done during an episode of abdominal pain and it was shown that there were generalized spikes especially precipitated by hyperventilation. The patient did well on valproic acid therapy and EEG was normal 1 month after beginning of the treatment. Discussion: The cause of chronic recurrent paroxymal abdominal pain is difficult for the clinicians to diagnose in childhood. A lot of disease may lead to paroxysmal gastrointestinal symptoms like familial mediterranean fever and porfiria. Abdominal epilepsy is one of the rare but easily treatable cause of abdominal pain. Conclusion:In conclusion, abdominal epilepsy should be suspected in children with recurrent abdominal pain.

True abdominal epilepsy is clonic jerking of the abdominal musculature*

“…Nevertheless, interictal epileptiform discharges are not confirmatory unless ictal recordings are obtained (Tatum et al, 2018). In prior case reports involving a diagnosis of AE linked to interictal EEG, generalized spike-and-wave was reported (Yunus et al, 2016), though this epileptiform abnormality is unlikely to cause abdominal pain. In addition, published EEG samples, as the basis for diagnosis of AE in other reports, appear to be misinterpreted as normal physiological (drowsy) bursts and artifact (Dutta et al, 2007).…”

Abdominal epilepsy mimicking conversion disorder: a case report

“…Kshirsagar et al [12] and Dutta et al [7] found that oxcarbazepine significantly reduced the symptoms in patients. Yunus et al [13] reported that valproic acid treatment in the abdominal epilepsy like this case rapidly improved their patient's abdominal symptoms.…”

Abdominal Epilepsy in Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital

“…However, there has been no recommendation yet on the choice of anticonvulsant to use10. Existing case reports on abdominal epilepsy have used oxcarbazepine, phenytoin or valproate [1,15,16]. There has been no published report yet on the use of phenobarbital in abdominal epilepsy.…”