Non-motor seizure diagnosed after mild traumatic brain injury: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: In 10% of head injury cases, nonmotor seizures were detected by electroencephalography (EEG) performed in the acute phase. Nonmotor seizures are often not diagnosed at the start of treatment because the symptoms are often not recognized by the patient's family or doctor. The incidence of seizures in patients with minor head injuries is very low. From the literature, it was found that the type and severity of the head injury is a significant factors in the incidence of post-traumatic seizure. Thus, in this article, we report a case of nonmotor seizures in a patient after a minor head injury. Case description: An Indonesian female, 53 years old, complained of sudden silence when speaking after 4 days earlier, she fell and hit her head on the right side. There was no loss of consciousness, headache, vomiting or limb weakness. Complaints of motor seizures and a history of previous seizures were denied. There were no cranium defects, hematomas, or open wounds on examination. The results of laboratory tests and non-contrast head CT scans were expected. On electroencephalography (EEG) examination, epileptiform waves were found in the left temporal region. The patient was given anti-seizure drugs, and complaints improved within 2 days of therapy. It is crucial to carry out an EEG examination in the acute phase of a head injury to exclude the possibility of nonmotor seizures and brain dysfunction, which will be at risk of causing seizures later in life after trauma. Conclusion: EEG examination in the acute phase of head injury is used to exclude the possibility of nonmotor seizures and brain dysfunction, which will be at risk of causing seizures later in life after trauma.