Professional paper

Epliepsy in 14-year old girl with pineal cyst - case report

Helena Hrkač ; Sveučilište u Osijeku, Medicinski fakultet
Anja Valentin ; Sveučilište u Osijeku, Medicinski fakultet
Sanja Delin ; Opća bolnica Zadar, Odjel pedijatrije
Andrea Šimić Klarić orcid.org/0000-0002-7091-8613 ; Opća županijska bolnica Požega, Odjel za pedijatriju

Abstract

Aim: Cysts of the pineal gland are rarely symptomatic when smaller than 10 mm but those over 10 mm may result in symptoms which may include headache, vertigo, obstructive hydrocephalus, visual and oculomotor disturbances and rarely with epilepsy.
Case report: We present the case of a 14-year-old girl with pineal cyst and epilepsy. The family history was uneventful and perinatal anamnesis was normal. The girl had focal and paroxysmal electroencephalogram (EEG) discharges with temporal spikes on the right and with secondary generalization and paroxismal tendency during intermittent photic stimulation and hyperventilation. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a pineal cyst 10 mm in diameter with a 1 mm cyst wall. Transcranical color doppler (TCD) of brain vessels was normal. The anticonvulsant therapy was started. After initiation of anticonvulsant therapy, the seizures stopped. MRI findings after one year showed no enlargement in cyst size.
Conclusion: Epilepsy may be caused by the pineal cyst. This case is in accordance with this statement, considering the size of the cyst and the EEG in our patient. The treatment starts with anticonvulsants and with clinical follow-up, for monitoring the growth of cysts. MRI and TCD are recommended. Surgical treatment is the therapeutic choice in case of deterioration of neurological function and/or cyst growth.

Keywords

pineal cyst; epilepsy; children

Hrčak ID:

177975

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/177975

Publication date:

20.3.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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