Episodic nocturnal wandering in a patient with epilepsy due to a right temporoinsular low-grade glioma: relief following resection. Case report

J Neurosurg. 2006 Mar;104(3):436-9. doi: 10.3171/jns.2006.104.3.436.

Abstract

Although controversial, episodic nocturnal wandering (ENW) is thought to be a rare and atypical form of nocturnal epilepsy, originating in the frontal lobe and responsive to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The authors report the case of a patient harboring a right temporoinsular low-grade glioma, who presented with a 3-year history of agitated somnambulent episodes resistant to AEDs. Interestingly, the ENW totally resolved after tumor resection and the patient reported no recurrence during a follow-up period of 4.5 years. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of ENW due to a glioma; the findings support the theory that ENW may represent an unusual type of lesional epilepsy that is surgically correctable. Moreover, a temporoinsular origin of ENW can now be considered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications*
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Epilepsy / complications*
  • Epilepsy / etiology*
  • Glioma / complications*
  • Glioma / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Somnambulism / etiology*
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome