EPILEPSY WITH GELASTIC SEIZURES AND HYPOTHALAMIC HAMARTOMA: A RARE CLINICAL CASE

Abstract

Among the various types of epileptic syndromes, gelastic seizures are considered the rarest one. The condition is characterized by forced laughter and the finding of hypothalamic hamartoma. Gelastic seizures may be associated with temporal or frontal foci of epilepsy, tumors, tuberous sclerosis, hemangiomas, and infectious lesions, including hypothalamic hamartoma. The tissue of a hypothalamic hamartoma is, by its nature, an epileptogenic zone. In the presence of a hypothalamic hamartoma, the expression of neuropeptides is often disturbed, which can contribute to the development of a seizure attack. Episodes of forced laughter in patients with hypothalamic hamartomas can be combined with various vegetative manifestations, motoric and mental symptoms. The report presents a clinical case of gelastic seizures in an adult male with hypothalamic hamartoma; the report includes the stepwise diagnosis and the treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). After a course of restorative therapy, control of epileptic seizures has been improved.

Keywords

• epilepsy
• gelastic seizures
• hypothalamic hamartoma
• transcranial magnetic stimulation
• video eeg