Epilepsia partialis continua due to cortical dysplasia.

We describe a child with progressive neurologic deterioration and epilepsia partialis continua of the right extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested cortical dysplasia of the left frontal region including the central sensorimotor cortex. Subdural grid recordings showed widespread ictal activity and frequent interictal discharges from the motor cortex. A tailored resection was performed, and histologic analysis confirmed cortical dysplasia. This case demonstrates that cortical dysplasia may be the underlying cause in some cases of childhood epilepsia partialis continua of the progressive type.