Short Report: Clinical Features and Epilepsy Monitoring in an Adult With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Abstract

Background 22q11.2 microdeletion is the most common microdeletion syndrome in humans with a prevalence of 13 per 100 000 live births, and it is a multisystem condition with variable phenotypic presentations. Methods We present a case of an adult patient with Dandy-Walker syndrome who presented to our epilepsy clinic with 2 years of new-onset seizures and cognitive decline and 1 year of psychotic symptoms. Results Patient had a non-revealing autoimmune and malignancy work-up. Continuous scalp vEEG study showed bursts of 1-2 Hz generalized fronto-centrally predominant spike or polyspike and slow wave discharges. Several myoclonic jerks were time-locked with the generalized discharges indicative of cortical myoclonus. MRI brain revealed periventricular nodular heterotopia in addition to findings suggestive of Dandy-Walker syndrome. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization demonstrated a 22q11.2 microdeletion seen in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Conclusion Our case illustrates the challenges of diagnosing genetic disorders in adults especially when the initial diagnosis is dependent on a number of factors, including the patient’s age, the severity of the phenotypic features, and the awareness of the physician.