Long-term sequential magnetoencephalographic analyses for patients with atypical benign partial epilepsy in childhood

Abstract

Abstract This study charted the magnetoencephalographic (MEG) findings with clinical course for atypical benign partial epilepsy in childhood (ABPE). We discuss the etiology and epileptogenesis of this condition. Three patients with ABPE (age: 8–10 years old) underwent MEG analysis using a 204ch helmet-shape MEG system. MEG showed unilateral epileptic activities over the frontal and temporal operculum and insular cortex during the worst seizures. The findings changed as the seizures were reduced by localized clustering of equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) at the unilateral temporal and frontal operculum near the primary motor area. We concluded that the localizations and directions of the ECDs in our patients during seizure remission resembled those of benign Rolandic epilepsy (BRE). We suggest a similar pathogenesis for ABPE and BRE.