Balloon cells and dysmorphic neurons in the hippocampus associated with epileptic amnesic syndrome: a case report

Epilepsia. 2008 May;49(5):905-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01527.x. Epub 2008 Feb 5.

Abstract

Recently, we encountered a 39-year-old woman with typical epileptic amnesic syndrome. The patient underwent right anterior temporal lobectomy, which removed the right hippocampus. The patient's resected hippocampus showed typical histological features of Ammon's horn sclerosis (AHS) with dysmorphic neurons. In addition, the prominent balloon cells, admixed with dysmorphic neurons, were noted in the hippocampus. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case showing AHS with balloon cells. The presence of balloon cells reinforces the hypothesis that AHS itself might be a maldevelopment disorder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amnesia, Anterograde / pathology
  • Anterior Temporal Lobectomy
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / pathology*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / surgery
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Gadolinium
  • Hippocampus / abnormalities
  • Hippocampus / pathology*
  • Hippocampus / surgery
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Malformations of Cortical Development / pathology*
  • Malformations of Cortical Development / surgery
  • Neurons / pathology*
  • Sclerosis / pathology
  • Videotape Recording

Substances

  • Gadolinium