Zonisamide eradicated paroxysmal headache with EEG abnormalities triggered by hypertensive encephalopathy due to purpura nephritic syndrome.

Author(s): Anzai Y, Hayashi M, Ohya T

Affiliation(s): Department of Pediatrics, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. y-annzai@ryouiku.or.jp

Publication date & source: 2006-10, Brain Dev., 28(9):610-3. Epub 2006 Jun 27.

Publication type: Case Reports

Generally, prognosis of hypertensive encephalopathy in childhood is favorable. We reported a 5-year-old girl who presented with a headache attack and EEG abnormalities after hypertensive encephalopathy due to purpura nephritis. The patient had suffered from hypertensive encephalopathy due to purpura nephritis, which soon ameliorated. Five months later, she developed attacks of headache, vomiting and disturbed consciousness with left side-predominant EEG abnormalities. Although carbamazepine and sodium valproate failed to improve her condition, zonisamide eradicated both the symptoms and EEG abnormalities, and an attack has not reoccurred for 5 years since completion of her treatment. It is noteworthy that delayed-onset complications can occur in child hypertensive encephalopathy, cases of which should be followed up prudently. Zonisamide should be considered for treatment of attacks of headaches with an epileptic character.