Is benign childhood paroxysmal eye deviation a non-epileptic disorder?
INTRODUCTION: Benign childhood paroxysmal eye deviation (BCPED) is classified as a ‘non-epileptic paroxysmal disorder’. CASE REPORTS: We report the cases of four patients aged between 6 months and 2 years, who suffered brief episodes of upward conjugate gaze deviation, with no clonic movements or associated cognitive deterioration. These episodes, which lasted several seconds, appeared in short repeated bouts that became worse with fatigue. Results of the neurological exploration, laboratory examinations, neuroimaging (CAT, MRI, brain ultrasonography) and a neurophysiological study, which included EEG-video monitoring and EEG performed during the waking state, were all normal. A nocturnal polysomnographic study was later conducted for 7-8 hours and EEG, EMG and EOG readings were recorded. The trace showed focal or generalised paroxysmal discharges during non-REM sleep in the form of polyspike-wave and spike-wave complexes. Sleep analysis (Reschstaffen and Kales) showed only a shortened
