Occipital lobe epilepsy: a chronic condition related to transient occipital lobe involvement in eclampsia

Epilepsia. 1994 May-Jun;35(3):644-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1994.tb02485.x.

Abstract

Eleven hours and 6 days, respectively, after childbirth 2 women exhibited hypertension and paroxysmal visual disturbances followed by tonic-clonic seizures and no other preeclamptic signs. Both developed partial epilepsy with occipital lobe seizures with no other neurologic defects. Neuroimaging showed no lesion during either the acute episode or 3-5 year follow-up. Selective vulnerability of the occipital lobes during eclamptic hypertensive encephalopathy was the probable pathophysiologic mechanism. Aggressive antihypertensive treatment during the acute phase may have exacerbated the risk of permanent cerebral damage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Eclampsia / complications
  • Eclampsia / physiopathology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy / etiology*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Occipital Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / complications
  • Pre-Eclampsia / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Puerperal Disorders / etiology*
  • Puerperal Disorders / physiopathology