An Islander with Seizures

Abstract

This case describes a man with progressive refractory epilepsy whose death was witnessed during a seizure. Initial brain imaging was normal, but following prolonged episodes of non-convulsive status epilepticus, progressive right-sided temporal atrophy developed over a period of two years. The clinical picture and postmortem examination were consistent with the diagnosis of Rasmussen's encephalitis, a rare condition with a bleak prognosis.