Summary:Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is a condition defined by prolonged focal myoclonus. Often resistant to therapy, EPC in children is frequently present in Rasmussen encephalitis, a form of chronic encephalitis of uncertain etiology. We discuss a child who developed bilateral EPC 5 months after a bone marrow transplant. Neuroimaging studies showed signal abnormalities on both sensory-motor areas. An extensive search failed to reveal the etiology of the disorder, but treatment with a broad-spectrum anti-viral agent was associated with resolution of the process. An unidentified infectious agent may be responsible for an encephalitis of the motor strip in immunosuppressed patients. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 26, 917-919. Keywords: epilepsia partialis continua; bone marrow transplant; encephalitis A type of myoclonus in which one group of muscles, usually the flexors of the hand and fingers, is continuously involved in rhythmic monophasic contractions is called epilepsia partialis continua (EPC). 1 In children, EPC is the characteristic manifestation of Rasmussen encephalitis, but can also be encountered in mitochondrial disorders or migrational defects. 2 A number of different disorders have been associated with EPC in the adult population. 3 Recently, an HIV-infected patient was reported with isolated chronic EPC. 4 The etiology was unclear, but since no other viral agent was identified, focal HIV 1 encephalitis was the presumed cause. We followed an HIV-negative child with acute myelogenous leukemia who developed a strikingly similar disorder after a bone marrow transplant. It seems plausible that an unidentified infectious agent may be responsible for an encephalitis of the motor area presenting as EPC in immunocompromised patients.
Case reportA 6-year-old Peruvian boy was well until January 1998 when he noticed left ear discomfort followed by a left facial droop. A right facial palsy ensued, and 3 months later a complete blood cell count (CBC) revealed an elevated white blood cell count (WBC) with 15% atypical cells. He was referred to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) where a bone marrow aspirate revealed 36% blasts. The morphology, immunophenotype and cytogenetic studies were consistent with AML M2 FAB morphology subtype. The patient was treated with four courses of dexamethasone, daunorubicin, cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), thioguanine and etoposide along with intrathecal cytosine arabinoside. Remission was achieved with clearing of the neurologic deficits. On 30 July 1998 he received a T-cell depleted bone marrow transplant (BMT) from his HLA-matched brother. Pre-transplant cytoreduction consisted of 1500 cGy total body irradiation preceded by 600 cGy whole brain irradiation, thiotepa and cyclophosphamide. He received 3 doses of Ara-C intrathecally at 2, 3 and 4 months post transplant for CNS prophylaxis. After successful engraftment the patient was discharged and returned to his country in the first week of December.The child remained asymptomatic until 30 December 1998 (5 mo...