Midline non-ictal rhythmic waveforms as possible electroencephalographic biomarkers of Smith-Klingsmore syndrome in children

Abstract

Introduction: Pathogenic variants of the MTOR gene result in the Smith-Kingsmore syndrome, whose phenotypical spectrum includes facial dysmorphisms and neurological features. Expressivity is variable, patients exhibit a combination of intellectual disability, macrocephaly and epilepsy. The diagnosis can be missed, failing to detect the causative pathogenic mutation in patients with somatic mosaicism or even skipping to analyze MTOR when the phenotype is not completely expressed.

Case study: Herein, we report two children harboring the same MTOR recurring mutation (c.5395G>A/p.Glu1799Lys) whose EEG displayed a peculiar combination of midline rhythmic waveforms and asynchronous spike-and-wave discharges with anterior fast activity in sleep and wake. Conclusion: We suggest these features might be considered as possible hallmarks of the syndrome and could aid to expedite the diagnosis when the phenotype is incomplete.

Keywords: Diagnosis; EEG; Genetics; MTOR; Neurodevelopment; Paediatric.