Crisis de estremecimiento (Shuddering attacks). Un raro trastorno paroxístico motor no epiléptico en la primera infancia

Abstract

Abstract Objective. To emphasize the clinical picture of shuddering attacks, a non-epileptic motor paroxysmal disorder. Method. We report two cases of patients whose clinical evolutions were studied and followed by the author. In both cases, the clinical history, physical examination, neuroradiologic studies and electroencephalograms have been compared with those published in the literature. Results and conclusions. Shuddering attacks constitute a non-exceptional condition in pediatric practice, which is manifested by motor paroxysmal episodes that may be mistaken for epileptic seizures, particularly spasms of West syndrome and benign myoclonus. In the medical literature, a possible relation between shuddering attacks and essential tremor has been found. Patients show normal physical examination and psychomotor development, as well as radiologic and electroencephalographic studies. Prognosis is favorable and the episodes disappear spontaneously within several months after onset.