A multimodal diagnostic approach for lateralised rhythmic delta activity in the ictal-interictal continuum∗

Abstract

The ictal-interictal continuum represents a diagnostic challenge even for expert neurrophysiologists, often requiring an additional multimodal diagnostic workup to understand its clinical significance. Lateralised rhythmic delta activity (LRDA) is an ictal-interictal continuum pattern that has only recently been investigated and recognised as potentially ictogenic or sometimes even ictal. We describe a patient who presented with acute-onset aphasia, initially suspected of having a stroke; advanced brain imaging with CT-perfusion showed features suggesting regional left temporo-parietal hyperperfusion and an EEG revealed LRDA with fluctuations and intermixed sharp waves in the same areas. Treatment with lacosamide caused both clinical and EEG improvement after a few hours, supporting the hypothesis that the EEG pattern represented an ictal/interictal phenomenon. In the literature, a correlation between metabolic/perfusion imaging and ictal-interictal continuum patterns is described regarding lateralised periodic discharges but less studied for LRDA. In this case, we adopted a multimodal approach, integrating advanced imaging, EEG, clinical features, and response to therapy, to consider the overall clinical presentation as focal NCSE.