Unpleasant auditory illusions and related avoidance behaviour in a child

Epileptic Disord. 2008 Mar;10(1):35-8. doi: 10.1684/epd.2008.0167.

Abstract

Auditory aura is a rare symptom in focal epilepsy. It has been described in autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features, but is, in general, poorly documented. We report on a 7-year-old, right-handed boy, who suffered seizures characterized by positive auditory illusions with verbal and gestural automatisms and noticeable attempts at covering his ears. Clinical evaluation and video-recording of the seizures, confirmed that most of the ictal behavior was deliberately directed at trying to prevent the unpleasant sensations reaching his ears. [Published with video sequences].

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Automatism / etiology
  • Automatism / genetics
  • Automatism / psychology
  • Carbamazepine / therapeutic use
  • Child Behavior Disorders / drug therapy
  • Child Behavior Disorders / genetics
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Gestures
  • Humans
  • Illusions / genetics
  • Illusions / psychology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Verbal Behavior

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Carbamazepine