2013 Volume 16 Issue 1 Pages 40-44
We report the case of a schoolgirl with long QT syndrome (LQTS) who was suspected of having epilepsy. She had a seizure with convulsion and loss of consciousness lasting for a few minutes early in the morning at the age of seven years. Ten months later, she had another similar seizure attack. Her electroencephalogram showed only minor abnormality. Her brain MRI and SPECT study showed borderline abnormalities. Therefore, she was suspected of having had epileptic seizures and was observed without medication. At the age of eight years, a third seizure attack occurred immediately after an alarm clock rang in the morning. When detailed clinical history was taken after the third attack, it was revealed that, in a school medical check at the age of six years, an electrocardiogram (ECG) had shown suspicion of LQTS. Then another ECG was taken and prolonged QTc lasting 0.500 seconds was confirmed. Later, gene analysis showed HERG mutation, leading to the definitive diagnosis of LQTS type 2. She is now under observation on beta-blocker medication without seizure attacks. Cardiogenic diseases including LQTS must be considered in the differential diagnosis of loss of consciousness and/or convulsion.
