Non-invasive therapeutic brain stimulation for treatment of resistant focal epilepsy in a teenager

AIMS: A 13-year-old boy with symptomatic focal epilepsy due to a right parietal dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET) presented pre- and post-operatively fluctuating tinnitus and sensory symptoms which became persistent after incomplete tumor resection. He received low-frequency rTMS treatment and cathodal tDCS treatment. METHODS: Case report with clinical details and pictures from rTMS and tDCS stimulation targets. RESULTS: The patient became symptom free with an initial low-frequency rTMS treatment series targeted to the EEG-verified epileptic zone followed by maintenance therapy at the same region with cathodal tDCS at home. CONCLUSIONS: Both rTMS and tDCS could be more often used in adolescents when drug treatment and surgery do not cease focal epilepsy, here with fluctuating tinnitus.