Clinical experiences of petit mal.

Petit mal is a condition characterized by absences accompanied on EEG by discharges of 3/sec spike and waves lasting more than 3-4 seconds. In 145 patients with pure petit mal (PPM) these were the only findings. They were associated with other types of seizures (APM) in 52 subjects and with myoclonic jerks of the upper limbs. (MPM) in 8. Clinical and EEG normalization was obtained in 93/111 patients with PPM with adequate therapy (84%), while the same outcome was observed in 7/31 (22%) of the subjects without adequate therapy. In the group with APM, clinical and EEG normalization was obtained in 26/34 (76%), while it was observed in 3/18 (16%) of the patients who received inadequate therapy. Among the patients with MPM, clinical but not EEG normalization was obtained in 4/8. The personal history showed a high percentage of febrile convulsions. IPS was also frequently positive. The prognosis of PM seems to be mainly related to adequate therapy. The presence of other types of seizures does not significantly modify the prognosis provided that the therapy is adequate. It is, however, important to note that signs or symptoms of neurologic impairment were rare in this group of patients, probably due to the criteria chosen for the selection of patients.