Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as therapy in an infant with epilepsia partialis continua

Abstract

Introduction: We present a case of a 10-month-old girl undergoing repetitive TMS (rTMS) for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. Case report: A 10-month-old girl, later diagnosed with pathogenic POLG1 mutations, presented to our institution with chronic progressive EPC (epilepsia partialis continua) manifesting as a frequent, left-sided, synchronous continuous jerking of the arms and legs. The seizures were drug-resistant to multiple antiseizure medications and epilepsy surgery, responding only to continuous anesthesia. rTMS therapy was attempted to interrupt seizures. Results: rTMS therapy, using an activating protocol to introduce a temporary lesion effect, was used to interrupt persistent, ongoing seizures. Conclusion: rTMS can be safely used to abort seizures in patients as young as 10 months old.

Keywords

• Repetitive transcranial magnetic therapy (rTMS)
• Epilepsy
• Epilepsia partialis continua
• Infant