Parietal Lobe epilepsy

[annie]

I've been diagnosed with parietal lobe epilepsy. There is no family history of neurologic diseases and MRI and all my blood test have not been able to find the causes of my seizures. The diagnosis was made by EEG which showed some spikes. I always thought that seizures were caused by something such as head trauma or a hormone imbalance or else having a family history of seizures. I have three questions. One, is it possible to make the diagnosis of epilepsy with just spikes on an EEG and no family history? Two, how common is having seizures originate from the Parietal lobe? I havn't been able to find much information on it at all! Three, what sort of seizures are common originatign from the left parietal lobe? (Could tinitus and tingling be associated with it?) Thank-you for you time!

Annie

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Annie:

Many types of epilepsy are genetic in origin.  There are however, many, many people who have epilepsy that we do not find a genetic etiology.  Yes, head trauma can also produce epilepsy, but actually this is a minor percentage of all epilepsy.  The majority of epilepsy is caused by things we do not completely understand, such as abnormal neuronal migration.  It is not uncommon for seizures to begin with a portion of the parietal lobe.  The type of seizure events depends on where in the parietal lobe.  Sometimes, the seizure actually begins in the temporal lobe and we only see the electrical activity in the parietal lobe because the detection electrodes were not placed on the surface of the head to detect temporal lobe discharges from the mesial temporal lobe.  Anyway, one could see tinnitus and/or tingling from parietal lobe epilepsy. Sounds like you may have simple partial seizures.  

I hope I answered your questions.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[annie]

What is abnormal neuronal migration and would it show up on a MRI? wow, I'm really impressed that my question was answered so fast! Thank-you! I guess I need to talk to my neurologist and see if I am indeed having simple partial seizures and to see if need my meds adjusted. Enjoy the rest of you weekend.

Annie

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Annie:

Abnormal neuronal migration is where the neurons, during development, do not reach their final area in the brain properly.  If there is an area large enough, the MRI will detect this area.

CCF Neuro MD

[marc]

I was diagnosed parietal lobe epilepsy "equivalent" too after seeing epileptic spikes in the left parietal lobe during EEG.
My main problems are dizziness, sometimes tinnitus and sometimes ataxia and some spatial disorientation.
These symptoms are mainly connected with the midddle ear.
So I'm curious to know whether parietal lobe could lead to disturbances as far as the ear, maybe the CCF Neuro MD has an answer.
Feel free to email me if you like
***@****

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Marc:

It likely has to due with the vestibular tracts that are near the parietal/temporal lobe.  These tracts affect the function of the inner ear/cerebellum.  Thus, one could encounter dizziness, ataxia, tinnitus, dysmetria, etc.

I hope this helps.

CCF Neuro MD

[marc]

Many thanks for the quick and clear answer you gave. I'm looking for an answer on my 'strange' symptoms for months already but I believe you gave it in a few words.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Your welcome.

[rycer]

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