Epilepsia partialis continua in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

OBJECTIVES

We describe a patient with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) with epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) and complex partial seizures.

MATERIAL, METHODS AND

RESULTS

The patient presented with semi-rhythmic jerking movements of the right upper extremity. Serial EEG findings showed progressive changes with initial periodic lateralizing epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) on the left hemisphere which evolved into more generalized periodic sharp wave complexes (PSWCs) at later stage. Video-EEG monitoring recorded complex partial seizures originating from the left hemisphere in addition to EPC.

CONCLUSIONS

A diagnosis of CJD should be considered when a rapidly progressive dementia is accompanied by abnormal movements. EPC, although rare, may present as an initial manifestation of CJD.