Inverted fixation-off sensitivity in atypical benign partial epilepsy

Pediatr Neurol. 2008 Apr;38(4):279-83. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2007.11.009.

Abstract

Fixation-off sensitivity is an electroencephalographic phenomenon characterized by spike-and-wave discharges that only occur when central vision and fixation are eliminated. It is especially seen in children with Panayiotopoulos-type, early-onset, benign childhood occipital epilepsy or Gastaut type, late-onset, childhood occipital epilepsy. It can also be seen in eyelid myoclonia with absences, in other idiopathic generalized epilepsies, and in asymptomatic children without epilepsy. We describe a boy with atypical, benign partial epilepsy of childhood who exhibited the reverse: epileptiform activity that was suppressed by the absence of central vision or fixation, and activated by central vision or fixation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Epilepsies, Partial / physiopathology*
  • Fixation, Ocular / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Vision, Ocular / physiology*