[Alternating hemiplegia in infancy: clinical features, clinical course and treatment based on three cases]

Abstract

Alternating hemiplegia is an infrequent form of complicated migraine. Clinical course has similarities with seizure disorders and correct diagnosis may be difficult. We report three patients whose onset in early childhood was with general impairment, transient hemiplegia, ocular movements and vasomotor symptoms. Clinical course of alternating hemiplegia is characterized by progressive neurologic deterioration. Intermittent motor impairment is alternating in side and later during the episodic attacks headache is present. Laboratory, electrophysiologic and neuroradiologic procedures are not demonstrative. In this report we show the findings in three patients in relation to the symptoms they presented, the utility of paraclinical investigations and their response to flunarizine treatment.