Hemiballismus and normal pressure hydrocephalus as long-term sequelae following a hemispherectomy for intractable epilepsy in a man with a learning disability

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Joyce, Joseph | Deb, Shoumitro^;

Affiliations: Ely Hospital, Cardiff, UK | Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, University of Wales, Cardiff, UK

Note: [] Correspondence to: Shoumitro Deb, Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Neuropsychiatry, Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XN, UK

Abstract: We report here a case of a 48-year-old gentleman with mild/moderate learning disability who developed late complications of hemispherectomy 28 years following the operation. The original operation was performed to treat intractable epilepsy (both generalized tonic/clonic and complex partial seizures) in an 8-year-old boy. After a 28 year seizure-free period, the patient developed cognitive decline, seizures, hemiballismus and a subacute confusional state, possibly related to normal pressure hydrocephalus. A ventriculo-peritoneal shunt operation, along with treatment with high doses of sulpiride, brought improvement in both mental state and hemiballismus.

Keywords: Hemispherectomy, Hydrocephalus, normal pressure, Cerebral hemidecortication

DOI: 10.3233/BEN-1997-10107

Journal: Behavioural Neurology, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 43-46, 1997