Episodic nocturnal wandering and complex visual hallucination. A case with long-term follow-up.

Episodic nocturnal wandering is rare and thought to be an atypical form of nocturnal epilepsy which is responsive to anticonvulsant therapy. We report a case of adult-onset episodic sleep-walking and daytime complex visual hallucination. Ambulatory EEG recordings suggested that both events were ictal phenomenon. Interictal sphenoidal EEG and SPECT studies revealed an epileptogenic focus in the left anterior temporal lobe. During the nocturnal wanderings, the patient had bizarre but non-violent behaviour, and was at risk of minor or severe injury to himself. Both events were completely controlled by carbamazepine for a follow-up period of 8 years. The present case further supports the notion that episodic nocturnal wandering represents an unusual type of nocturnal complex partial seizures.