Generalized myoclonic seizures triggered by partial seizures

We recorded clinical and EEG evidence of partial seizures triggering generalized myoclonic seizures in a 12-year-old boy with tuberous sclerosis. The patient never had myoclonic seizures independent of ongoing partial seizures. The International Classification of Epileptic Seizures implies that the electrophysiologic mechanisms for partial seizures are different from those for primary generalized seizures. However, the findings in our patient support growing evidence that some primary generalized seizures may have previously unrecognized focal origins.