The syndrome of Lennox Gasto (epilepsy)

The Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is one of the forms of epilepsy (myoclonic-astatic). This variant of the disease suggests a combination of tonic and atonic seizures, atypical absences, delayed mental development in children. For the first time the disease can occur in toddlers from year to five, mostly in boys.

This ailment, as a rule, develops as a result of neurological diseases transferred in childhood and begins with sudden falls of the child. After a while there are convulsions, epileptic seizures, pronounced delayed mental development, and also a decrease in intelligence.

Gradually, with the growth of the child, the nature of seizures varies. Falls are replaced by partial, secondary generalized, complex attacks of epilepsy.

Because of what the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome manifests

It is quite difficult to understand the causes of this syndrome, but today the main ones are known.

• Anomaly of brain development.
• Severe infections (meningitis, encephalitis, rubella).
• Genetic pathological diseases of the brain (CNS lesions, metabolic diseases, tuberculous sclerosis).
• Injuries of the child during the passage of the birth canal (asphyxia, premature birth, etc.).
• CNS trauma in the perinatal period, as well as premature birth and asphyxia.

Symptoms of SLH

The Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can be recognized by the most important symptom - convulsions. Children diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy also have various forms of epilepsy (symptoms) :

• Paroxysms of falls;
• Atonic seizures;
• Atypical absence;
• Partial seizures;
• Nodding cramps;
• Myoclonic-astatic seizures;
• Tonic seizures (usually occur during deep sleep);
• Generalized TC seizures.

Patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome also have a characteristic stupor with a smooth transition to epilepsy, mental retardation, cognitive and personality disorders.

Diagnosis of LH syndrome

Immediately after the manifestation of the first symptom of this disease it is necessary to immediately seek help from specialists, calling an ambulance. As a rule, the diagnosis of this disease is carried out using an ECG in the period between attacks.

Treatment of LH syndrome

The Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is treated with the help of medical and surgical methods. Treatment with medicines yields a positive result in no more than 20% of cases. With the surgical method of treatment, to eliminate sudden falls, effective is the dissection of the calloused body (kallozotomy). Also, operations aimed at stimulating the vagus nerve and removing vascular tumors and malformations are used.

However, it should be said that seizures characteristic of this syndrome are often difficult to treat; In the end they can lead a patient to severe social and mental consequences. Tonic seizures that lead to a decrease in intelligence are virtually untreatable.