An unspecified clinical syndrome in mentally retarded patients with bilateral mesial temporal sclerosis

PURPOSE: The association of febrile convulsions and mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) is a well-known phenomenon. However, the effects of mental retardation on febrile convulsions and MTS have not been investigated previously. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation of mental retardation to febrile convulsions especially as febrile status epilepticus and MTS. METHODS: We describe three patients who have bilateral mesial temporal sclerosis with mental retardation and a history of febrile status epilepticus (FSE), and have clinically typical mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). RESULTS: The FRSB and neuropsychology test revealed executive dysfunction in patients whose bilateral MTS had a benign course, which was unexpected. CONCLUSIONS: Febrile status epilepticus might have a role in the development of their mental retardation. This study also pointed out that MTS might have subtypes as a result of our attempts at distinguishing patients with MTS.