Case
Presentation J.B., a
11 year old right handed female with a
significant history of epilepsy, presents
to the pediatric neurology office for a
routine follow up appointment. J. has a
history of focal seizures since the age of
6, when she had a head injury during a
motor vehicle accident. J.'s typical
seizures occur about 3-4 times a week, and
are focal complex seizures involving her
right arm. During the seizures she
typically is unresponsive, has clonic
movements of her right arm, and her eyes
dart about. Upon resolution of the seizure
she is slightly confused, has some
weakness of her right arm, and may have
some slurring of her speech. She has had
several generalized seizures, but none for
several years. J.'s
mother reports that recently J.'s seizures
seem to be changing. Although she is still
experiencing her typical seizures, about
twice a week she seems to be experiencing
a new type of seizure. The new seizures
are highly variable, and seem to be
nothing like her old seizures. At the
onset of the seizure, J. often falls to
the ground, however she has never hurt
herself. Usually the new seizures are left
sided, although they have been bilateral,
and include non-rhythmic jerking movements
on her upper and lower extremities. J.'s
head often moves from side to side, and
she sometimes drools during these
episodes. After the seizure J. is
confused, has a lot of difficulty forming
words, and is unable to use her right arm
for several hours. J.'s
mother is very worried that these new
seizures indicate that the area of brain
damage has spread. She is convinced that
the medication J. was on previously are no
longer working, so she stopped them 3
weeks ago, since which time J. has been
having her typical focal seizures once a
day. She is requesting that J.'s
"worthless medication" be changed, and
that J. undergo all new imaging studies to
see if the area of damage is
spreading. PMS/PSH-
Head injury at the age of 6 years. Focal
complex seizures Medications/allergies-
Depakote 500 mg po BID, discontinued 3
weeks ago. NKDA Developmental
History- Mom recalls nothing being
different from her other
children. Pregnancy/Birth
History- Pregnancy uneventful, born via
vaginal delivery at 38 weeks, no
complications, went home with mom.
Family
History-Maternal side with ovarian cancer
in grandmother, great aunt and aunt.
Paternal aunt and cousin with lupus.
Paternal grandfather died of a heart
attack at age 55. Social
History- Lives at home with mom, a
homemaker; dad, an engineer at a local
auto plant; and 4 older siblings, sisters
ages 15, 17 and brothers ages 13 and 19.
There is no smoking in the home, and the
family is very religious. ROS-
negative except as noted above PE-On
exam, her vital signs are stable and he is
afebrile. Weight is 37 kilograms, 145
centimeters tall, head circumference is 54
centimeters. She appears to be a healthy,
shy girl who looks her age. She is quiet,
but cooperative during the exam. Neuro Motor-
Normal tone and muscle bulk, strength
5/5 in arms and legs bilaterally Urine
Studies 24
Hour Urinary
Copper Urine
Catecholamines Urine
Protoporphyrins CSF
Studies AFB
Staining and
Culture Lactate,
Pyruvate Tissue
Studies Muscle
Biopsy: Mitochondrial
Enzymes Imaging
Studies Carotid
Doppler Head
CT with and without
Contrast Electrophysiology
Studies Specialized
Studies Resources Tests
Complete
HEENT- head is normocephalic and
atraumatic, tympanic membranes are gray
and pearly with good landmarks and
movement. The mucus membranes are moist,
oropharynx is nonerythematous and without
exudate. There is no cervical
lymphadenopathy.
Cardiac- Regular rate and rhythm, no
murmurs, rubs or gallops
Lung- Lungs are clear to auscultation
bilaterally, breathing easily without
accessory muscle use.
Abdominal- Soft and nontender, no masses
are palpable.
Extremities- No clubbing, cyanosis or
edema, warm and well perfused with
capillary refill less than 2 seconds
Cranial
Nerves
Coordination- Finger nose finger, rapid
alternating movements, fine finger
movements and heel knee shin performed
without difficulty.
Sensation- Intact to vibration,
proprioception, light touch and
temperature in the upper and lower
extremities bilaterally
Reflexes- 2+ bilaterally in the biceps,
brachioradialis, triceps, patella and
ankle. Toes are down going
bilaterally.
24
Hour Urine Heavy
Metals
Reducing
Substances Urinalysis
Urine
Amino Acids
Urine
Mucopolysaccharides
Urine
Organic Acids
Urine
Sulfites
Urine
Toxicology Screen
Amino
Acids
Bacterial
Culture
Cell
Counts
Cryptococcal
Antigen
Myelin
Basic Protein
Oligoclonal
Bands
Opening
Pressure
Muscle
Biopsy: Pathology
Catheter
Angiogram
Chest
CT
Echocardiogram
Head
CT without contrast
Head
Ultrasound
Orbital
CT
Spine
MRI
Growth
Charts- Boys
Growth Charts- Girls