Intraventricular interferon-alpha stops seizures in Rasmussen's encephalitis: A case report

A 3.5-year-old girl had epilepsia partialis continua of the right side. Clinical and laboratory findings were consistent with Rasmussen's encephalitis. Treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone led to temporary control of seizures, but for 2 years, the seizures remained refractory to phenobarbital, phenytoin, lorazepam, carbamazepine, valproic acid, vigabatrin, gabapentin, and lamotrigine. A 6-week course, and later a 6-month course, of intraventricular interferon-alpha almost totally suppressed the seizures. Although moderately hemiparetic, the child has reasonable neurologic function with mild speech delay. She is receiving her third course of treatment, and seizures remain completely controlled.