Episodic nocturnal wandering in a patient with epilepsy due to a right temporoinsular low-grade glioma: relief following resection

Abstract

✓ Although controversial, episodic nocturnal wandering (ENW) is thought to be a rare and atypical form of nocturnal epilepsy, originating in the frontal lobe and responsive to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The authors report the case of a patient harboring a right temporoinsular low-grade glioma, who presented with a 3-year history of agitated somnambulent episodes resistant to AEDs. Interestingly, the ENW totally resolved after tumor resection and the patient reported no recurrence during a follow-up period of 4.5 years. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of ENW due to a glioma; the findings support the theory that ENW may represent an unusual type of lesional epilepsy that is surgically correctable. Moreover, a temporoinsular origin of ENW can now be considered.