J Korean Child Neurol Soc.  2010 May;18(1):123-128.

A Case with Excercise Induced Seizures: Long QT Syndrome Misdiagnosed as Epilepsy

• Lee EH
• Jeong MH
• Ko JK
• Ko TS

Abstract

Long QT syndrome(LQTS) is characterized by prolongation of the QT interval, frequent episodes of syncope, and ventricular tachycardia leading to sudden cardiac death in adolescents and young adults. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment to reduce the risk of life-threatening cardiac events is crucial, however sudden onset convulsive syncope may be misdiagnosed as epilepsy and lead to antiepileptic drug therapy for many years. We experienced a case of six-year-old boy who were having seizure triggered by exercise and being treated with antiepileptic drugs. He had normal EEG and brain MRI but his ECG revealed prolonged QT interval(QTc=477 ms) and treadmill test induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. After applying beta-blocker, he had no more seizure attacks. We report a case of long QT syndrome misdiagnosed as epilepsy with a brief review of related literatures.

Keyword

Long QT syndrome; Seizure; Exercise

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Anticonvulsants
Brain
Death, Sudden, Cardiac
Early Diagnosis
Electrocardiography
Electroencephalography
Epilepsy
Exercise Test
Humans
Long QT Syndrome
Seizures
Syncope
Tachycardia, Ventricular
Young Adult
Anticonvulsants