Hashimoto's encephalopathy: documentation of mesial temporal seizure origin by ictal EEG

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a chronic relapsing and remitting encephalopathy associated with antithyroid antibodies. Seizures are a frequent manifestation, but are not well characterized in the literature with respect to their onset. We describe a 48-year-old patient with recurrent encephalopathy and seizures, and elevated antithyroid antibodies. One seizure was documented with video-EEG monitoring using scalp and sphenoidal electrodes. The ictal discharge originated in the left mesial-basal temporal region. MRI showed an increased T2 signal in the white matter of the centrum semiovale, but no temporal pathology. Symptoms resolved after treatment with prednisone and azathioprine. Hashimoto's encephalopathy should be considered in patients with unexplained encephalopathy and seizures, including those originating in the temporal lobe. (C) 2001 BEA Trading Ltd.