Jackson epilepsy: symptoms and treatment

Jackson's epilepsy is a type of underlying disease. It was first discovered in 1927 by Dr. Brava. Then it was carefully studied and described by the English doctor Jackson. Therefore, I received the name on the name of the doctor. This kind of epilepsy is not considered dangerous, since it does not lead to death.

Disease history

For the first time, Jackson's epilepsy was briefly described in 1827 by the French doctor Bravais. In 1863, an Englishman, neurologist Jackson, seriously took up the study of the disease. He compared seizures with a focus of epiactivity in different parts of the cerebral cortex. And these studies became the basis for studying the functions of various zones.

What it is?

Jackson's epilepsy is characterized by sensory, motor or mixed seizures. In this epileptiform excitation first appears in the central gyrus of the brain or its cortex. Most often seizures and convulsions start locally. In this case, a clear consciousness remains. Seizures spread in a certain sequence throughout the body, which leads to a secondary epicuscript.

Causes of the disease

One of the nervous diseases is Jackson's epilepsy. The reasons can be different. Among them:

• brain tumor;
• Cysticercosis;
• Accumulated fluid in the brain;
• Cerebral cyst;
• Echinococcosis;
• Solitary tuberculosis;
• Neurosyphilis;
• encephalitis;
• Craniocerebral trauma;
• Chronic arachnoiditis;
• Arteriovenous malformations;
• Pachymeningitis;
• Aneurysms.

Jackson's epilepsy in children often arises because of heredity. But this factor is secondary. That is, the disease often occurs due to organic pathology. The appearance of it at any age indicates the defeat of the brain.

Symptomatic of the disease

Jackson epilepsy, the symptoms of which are variable in nature, appear as seizures and seizures. Common features - they arise locally, in separate areas of the body. Most often appear on the face or in the hands. Then spread through the body. Thanks to this development, the symptoms were called Jackson's march.

Features of the disease

A characteristic feature of Jackson's epilepsy is its local manifestation in only one part of the body. And the spread of seizures, respectively, the projection on the cerebral cortex of the central gyrus. Attacks occur when a person is in full consciousness. For example, if the cramp has begun in the fingers of the left hand, it begins to spread on the same side of the body - up to the shoulder, face and passes to the foot. The attack takes place in the same order in which it was distributed.

At the same time, it is noted that one-time convulsions in a certain part of the body will begin exactly in the same place. The period between attacks can be different: seconds, minutes or days.

Types of Jackson epilepsy

Jackson's epilepsy can be of three kinds. Motor motor disease occurs when the cerebral cortex is excited. First there are convulsions, which mostly originate in the muscles of the thumb. Then the twitching begins to spread up the arm to the shoulder, then from the hip down. Less often the cramps originate from the first toe. In this case, they spread first along it, then onto the hand and face. Suddenly seizures stop, just as they begin.

With sensory jackson, excitation of the central cerebral gyrus also occurs. Distribution is similar to motor type. The difference lies in the loss of sensitivity. There is a violation. Sometimes the convulsions that have arisen in one place do not spread further. This attack is considered simple. Thus the person does not lose consciousness.

It happens exactly at Jackson's march. Consciousness is not always lost, but in most cases. Especially if the cramps suddenly shift to the other side. If the epileptic status develops, the attack is localized only in the facial muscles, affecting the musculature of one limb, or convulsions start to appear one after another.

What should I do if I have seizures?

Jacksonian epilepsy in most cases occurs with the manifestation of simple attacks that start from a certain permanent place. Stop the spread of seizures can be tried by holding the twitching limb. But this option is possible only in the initial stage of the disease. With its further progression, convulsions begin to exit from a local point, gradually spreading throughout the body. Therefore, it is no longer possible to stop them with the help of deduction.

Progression of seizures

With the progression of Jackson epilepsy, after an attack, the limb is often temporarily denied, which served as the starting point for the localized seizures. The duration and severity of post-paroxysmal paresis indicates the onset of the tumor process.

If the focus of the attack is in the dominant cerebral hemisphere, then motor aphasia may begin . Sometimes convulsions become transient paralysis of the legs or hands. During seizures, there are other neurological symptoms. They depend on the presence of basic diseases in humans.

Diagnosis of the disease

It is not difficult to establish the presence of Jackson epilepsy. It is more difficult to determine the cause of its occurrence, that is, the underlying disease that caused the onset of convulsive seizures. Therefore, a neurological examination is performed, and the patient's mental state is analyzed. Jackson's epilepsy must be separated from similar diseases. Therefore, the psychiatrist, neuropathologist and neurologist take part in the survey.

In the period between attacks, electroencephalography registers focal discharges of epiactivity, which are provoked by sound and light stimuli. But in accordance with the causative disease, the basic rhythm can be changed. With the help of EEG-video monitoring, a complete picture of the ictal EEG is obtained.

The best method of diagnosis is an MRI of the brain. If there are contraindications to its use, then CT is used. These methods allow to identify or exclude a brain tumor, abscess, encephalitis, etc.

Jackson epilepsy: treatment

Reviews indicate that seizures after therapy are almost completely lost. An attitude of the patient to recover is also important. The treatment of Jackson epilepsy is mainly aimed at eliminating the underlying disease, which caused seizures. And the second component of therapy is anti-bicycling. Without it, the relief of epilepsy is impossible.

During the anticonvulsant therapy, medicament complexes (Benzonal, Hexamethadine, and L.) are prescribed, which the patient must drink throughout his life. At the same time, the patient is prescribed dehydration medications (Hypothiazide, Diacarb or Lasix) and resorptive drugs (Aloe, Lidase).

Jackson epilepsy, the treatment of which began, requires consultation of a neurosurgeon if the disease is caused by a cyst, arteriovenous malformation or a tumor. In this case, surgical intervention is required. But even after the operation, during which the organic cause of Jackson's epilepsy is removed, seizures often persist for a long time.

In this case, the possibility of surgical treatment is considered. The dissection of adhesions and the removal of scar-altered membranes are ineffective. After such operations, seizures stopped only for a while. A more effective method of treatment is focal resection. During the operation, the areas of the cerebral cortex that are responsible for epiaktivity are removed.

But after such a surgical intervention paralysis of the extremities occurs, the motor zones of which were cut out. Over time, the muscles begin to recover, but not to the full extent. And partial immobility remains for life. And there is no guarantee that the seizures will not start again. The reason for this is the appearance of cicatricial changes after the operation.

Forecast

Jackson's epilepsy prognosis is comforting. The disease is well treatable. There is no development of additional complications in the form of mental or functional abnormalities. This kind of epilepsy does not apply to life-threatening or dangerous diseases. But nevertheless the disease is very unpleasant because of constant convulsive attacks and periodic loss of consciousness. And also because of the loss of certain body functions. But with timely access to a doctor, the number of seizures is significantly reduced. Treatment lasts at least a year.