Postictal behaviour in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Postictal phenomena such as nose-wiping, coughing and hypersalivation are believed to reflect a purposeful reaction to hypersecretion after regaining consciousness following a complex partial seizure, and are very common in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, particularly in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Nose-wiping is usually performed with the hand ipsilateral to the side of seizure onset. Our patient illustrates an unusual, exaggerated postictal behaviour consisting of long-lasting nose-wiping, coughing and guttural sounds following a complex partial seizure due to right mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. [Published with video sequences].