Foreign Language Ictal Speech Automatism in a Patient with Left Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Case Confirmed by Video-EEG
Minahil Shahid1, Margil Ranpariya1, Mahim Mahim1, Osman Farooq1
1Neurology, University at Buffalo
Objective:
N/A
Background:
Foreign language ictal speech automatisms (FLISA) are rare manifestations of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), typically associated with seizures originating from the non-dominant hemisphere. We present a rare case of FLISA arising from the dominant (left) temporal lobe, confirmed through video-electroencephalographic (video-EEG) monitoring. 
Design/Methods:
Case report
Results:

A 23-year-old left-handed male with a two-year history of recurrent focal unaware seizures was admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) for the evaluation of 45- to 60-second episodes characterized by motionless staring, impaired awareness, and repetitive verbalizations in Spanish – his non-primary language – such as “gracias madre” (“thank you, mother”). Postictally, he resumed speaking English and had no recollection of the foreign language speech. Magnetic resonance imaging-(MRI) revealed encephalomalacia involving the left temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes, with associated ex-vacuo-dilatation of the left occipital horn. Video-EEG monitoring captured typical seizures with ictal rhythmic delta activity localized to the left temporal region. Due to behavioral side effects, Levetiracetam was discontinued and replaced with Lacosamide, resulting in improved seizure control. This case highlights an uncommon presentation of FLISA arising from the dominant temporal lobe in a left-handed-individual. While FLISA has traditionally been associated with non-dominant temporal lobe seizures, this case suggests that ictal foreign language expression may also originate from the dominant hemisphere, particularly in left-handed individuals with atypical language lateralization. Functional imaging and neurocognitive studies have shown that bilingual language networks may extend beyond the classic dominant hemisphere regions, potentially accounting for this phenomenon. 

Conclusions:
FLISA is a rare but clinically significant ictal manifestation that can aid in seizure localization. Video-EEG plays a crucial role in confirming the epileptic origin of these unusual speech phenomena. Recognizing these atypical ictal behaviors provides valuable insight into the neural mechanisms of language involvement in epilepsy and highlights the importance of comprehensive electroclinical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and management.
10.1212/WNL.0000000000215775
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