Epilepsia abdominal, una entidad poco frecuente

Abstract

Introduction: abdominal epilepsy (AE) is characterized by episodic gastrointestinal symptoms accompanied by electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities. It poses a diagnostic challenge due to being uncommon and having non-specific symptoms, which mimic other gastrointestinal issues. Case presentation: a 15-year-old female patient presenting with abdominal pain accompanied by difficult-to-control vomiting, weight loss, and chronic constipation; with normal laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging results. Due to symptoms persistence and unclear etiology, an EEG was performed, capturing seizure- specific abnormalities, therefore, anticonvulsant therapy was started. Outpatient follow-up demonstrated gastrointestinal symptoms resolution. Discussion: AE is an uncommon, often misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed condition, presenting with a variety of gastrointestinal and central nervous system (CNS) manifestations. In the present case, gastrointestinal symptoms predominate with no evidence of neurological abnormalities, which complicated diagnosis. Conclusion: in cases of paroxysmal gastrointestinal symptoms with or without neurological manifestations, abdominal epilepsy should be considered after other more common etiologies, or gastrointestinal disorders are ruled out.