Abdominal epilepsy as an unusual cause ofabdominal pain: a case report

• Published in: African health sciences Vol. 16; no. 3; p. 877
• Main Authors: Yunus, Yılmaz, Sefer, Ustebay, Dondu, Ulker Ustebay, Ismail, Ozanli, Yusuf, Ehi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Makerere University Medical School 18-10-2016
• Subjects: Abdominal epilepsy; abdominal pain; case report
• ISSN: 1680-6905; 1680-6905
• DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v16i3.32

Introduction: Abdominal pain, in etiology sometimes difficult to be
defined, is a frequent complaint in childhood. Abdominal epilepsy is a
rare cause of abdominal pain. Objectives: In this article, we report on
5 year old girl patient with abdominal epilepsy. Methods: Some
investigations (stool investigation, routine blood tests,
ultrasonography (USG), electrocardiogram (ECHO) and electrocardiograpy
(ECG), holter for 24hr.) were done to understand the origin of these
complaints; but no abnormalities were found. Finally an EEG was done
during an episode of abdominal pain and it was shown that there were
generalized spikes especially precipitated by hyperventilation. The
patient did well on valproic acid therapy and EEG was normal 1 month
after beginning of the treatment. Discussion: The cause of chronic
recurrent paroxymal abdominal pain is difficult for the clinicians to
diagnose in childhood. A lot of disease may lead to paroxysmal
gastrointestinal symptoms like familial mediterranean fever and
porfiria. Abdominal epilepsy is one of the rare but easily treatable
cause of abdominal pain. Conclusion: In conclusion, abdominal epilepsy
should be suspected in children with recurrent abdominal pain.