Temporal lobe epilepsy as a unique manifestation of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: To report on five patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) as the unique manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Among 350 consecutive MS patients, we identified 16/350 (4.6%) who also had epileptic seizures. Here, we review their electrophysiological and clinical features. Results: Five of these 16 patients (four female, one male; mean age 34.2 years; range 31 to 38) with MS and epileptic seizures had an extremely homogeneous clinical picture characterized by TLE as the unique manifestation of MS, even at long follow-up (mean: five years; range 4 to 10). In all patients, seizures started in the second or third decade. Brain MRI revealed at least one juxta-cortical lesion within the temporal region. Antiepileptic medication was always effective. Conclusions: The present study provides the first evidence of a peculiar form of MS characterized by TLE as the unique manifestation of the disease with no disability or MS relapses at long-term follow-up.