Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis and childhood epilepsy.

The authors report four cases of childhood epilepsy symptomatic of tuberous sclerosis. Epilepsy appeared in the forefront of the epileptic scene: in two cases, the features of epilepsy were haut mai and in two cases, WEST'S syndrome. Epileptic seizures began precociously for all children. Mental retardation was identified in three cases with one case of autistic behaviour Diagnosis was possible given skin lesions, family investigations, and X-ray of the skull. Brain scanners were not carried out on any of the children. Whilst recognizing the scarcity of BOURNEVILLE'S tuberous sclerosis, the authors point out the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis of rare but not exceptionnal hereditary affections.