Epilepsy-associated open-lip schizencephaly with arachnoid cyst: a rare case report

Abstract

Background: Schizencephaly is a rare congenital cerebral malformation characterized by clefts in the cerebral cortex. The traction effect and splitting of leptomeninges caused by schizencephaly potentially formed an arachnoid cyst. Case presentation: We present a case of an 18-year-old male with history of several episodes of complex partial seizure over the last 2 months, with an electroencephalogram signified an epileptic form in the right temporal lobe. Brain magnetic-resonance imaging revealed an arachnoid cyst in the right temporal fossa and a grey matter-lined right temporal cleft consistent with open-lip schizencephaly. To the best of authors’ knowledge, only two previous similar cases have been reported in 1997. Our patient underwent cystoperitoneal shunt and was given double anti-epileptic agents, which successfully resolved and prevented the seizure episode during further follow-up. Conclusion: New onset of seizure-associated schizencephaly in adult are very rare. In this case, space-occupying lesions effects from the enlarged arachnoid cysts caused seizure, which resolved after the cystoperitoneal shunt and double anti-epileptic agents.