Syndrome of benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes
This syndrome accounts for about 15 to 20% of epilepsy cases younger than the age of 15 years.
The seizures, which are mostly nocturnal, are associated with focal motor activity of the face with salivation.
The seizures may generalize secondarily. Sensory symptoms may occur around the mouth in addition to motor components. Speech may not be possible. The EEG is characterized by a prominent interictal centrotemporal sharp wave with otherwise normal background.
The sharp waves occur more frequently during sleep. This epilepsy typically remits spontaneously by the age of 16, regardless of treatment.
Treatment for this focal epilepsy may be instituted, depending on how disruptive the seizures are.
Therapy is individualized and ranges from no therapy with counseling and observation to chronic antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy.
