Startle-induced seizures associated with infantile hemiplegia: implication of the supplementary motor area.

This case illustrates an uncommon form of symptomatic startle-induced epilepsy associated with infantile hemiplegia. Seizure semiology, neuroimaging and neurophysiological findings support involvement of the supplementary motor area in the generation of this seizure type. We present the case of an 11-year-old girl with an uncommon form of startle-induced seizures, illustrated on video-EEG, against the background of left infantile hemiplegia associated with extensive right hemispheric porencephaly but preserved cognitive functioning. The epileptic focus appears to be in the dorsolateral frontal lobe, with seizure semiology involving the supplementary motor cortex.