What is Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome?
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome is a type of epilepsy where a person may experience multiple types of seizures including tonic (stiffening of the body), atonic (brief loss of muscle tone), and atypical absence (starring). This type of seizure often begins during infancy and early childhood.
Statistics and Facts
4% of children with epilepsy are diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome with more of a prevalence in males than females. Most mortality rates are due to accidents.
Other Known Names
LGS
Symptoms
Symptoms often include frequent seizures and multiple types of seizures including:
- Atonic seizures (drop attacks)- a sudden loss of muscle tone and limpness, a person may suddenly fall which can lead to head injuries.
- Tonic seizures- the body stiffens and can last for up to a minute. Will generally occur when the person is asleep.
- Abnormal seizures- a period pf unconsciousness where the person has no memory of the episode.
Causes
- Abnormal development of the brain cortex
- Congenital infections
- Stroke
- Trauma
- Lack of oxygen during birth
- Encephalitis
- Meningitis
- Tuberous Sclerosis
- Seizures that start in infancy referred to as West syndrome
Diagnostic and Test
- Clinical evaluation
- Detailed patient history
- Complete physical and neurological evaluation
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Treatment
- Anti-epileptic drugs (AED’s)
- Dietary therapy
- Surgery (VNS therapy)
Disclaimer: this article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment or medical condition.