Fecal incontinence as the sole presentation of focal epilepsy; a case report

• Published in: Oxford Medical Case Reports Vol. 2023; no. 6; p. omad064
• Main Authors: Al-Ameri, Laith T, Hameed, Ekhlas K, Maroof, Bilal S, Al-Momen, Hayder
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01-06-2023
• Subjects: Case Report
• ISSN: 2053-8855; 2053-8855
• DOI: 10.1093/omcr/omad064

Abstract
Focal epilepsy is a surge in brain activity arising from a localised area of the cerebral cortex; it can be sub-classified in different categories including motor, sensory, autonomic and cognitive subtypes. A clinical case report of a 11-year-old girl was diagnosed with frequent fecal incontinence four or more times daily for more than two months. An electroencephalogram (EEG) study suggested a prominent interictal spike and sharp wave discharge on the left hemisphere, mainly at the frontotemporal region without loss of consciousness or even speech disruption. This could be due to the normal EEG study of the dominant hemisphere. A magnetic resonance imaging study was done to exclude space-occupying lesions or focal lesions of the left hemisphere of the brain. An impression was made with abnormal EEG showing focal epileptiform activity as a final diagnosis. The patient was treated with Leviteracetam anti-epileptic drug 250 mg twice daily with significant clinical improvement at a 3-month follow-up.