LAUSR

Introduction Temporal epilepsy is the most frequent partial epilepsy, with a polymorphous semiology. Our aim is to illustrate electrical and clinical features of temporal epilepsy in a sample of patients. Methods We conducted a prospective and descriptive study in neurological department of Fann teaching hospital in Dakar, including patients with temporal epileptic abnormalities on electroencephalogram. We collected semiological, electroencephalographic, brain imaging, and therapeutic data, and the disease evolution under treatment. Results There were 46 patients aged from 2 years and half to 53 years. Familial history of epilepsy was found in 18.84% and febrile seizures in 8.69%. Most of the patients have had first fit before the age of 10 years. A triggering factor was reported in 28.26% of cases. The most constant clinical signs were secondary motor disorders, which were predominant among electroencephalographic motives. Temporal semiology was most of the time consisting in psychical signs (67.39% of patients) but also automatic activities (52.17%), conscience obnibulation, aphasic disorders, and vegetative manifestations. Brain imaging was rarely available. 32.61% of subjects had stopped their medication because of several reasons. The medications we used were Phenobarbital (Gardenal), sodium valproate (Depakine), carbamazepine (Tegretol) and clonazepam (Rivotril). Evolution was favourable for the majority. Conclusion Clinical polymorphism of temporal epilepsy can lead to ignoring the diagnosis, which has to be mentioned each time we face psychical or sensorial troubles, particularly if evolving by fits.