Introduction
Duke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) is a rare neurological condition with unknown global prevalence and incidence. This disease was first described by three physicians, Cornelius G. Dyke, Leo M. Davidoff and Clement M. Masson in 1933.1 DDMS is a clinico-radiological recognized entity characterized by typical manifestations including drugs resistant epilepsy, intellectual disability, hemiparesis, skull bone thickening associated with cerebral hemiatrophy and hyperpneumatization of paranasal and frontal sinuses on neuroimaging.2 Some patients may present with additional symptoms including cerebellar and basal ganglia atrophy, ear malformations and neuropsychiatric disorders.3, 4DDMS’ etiologies are broadly categorized into congenital and acquired.5 Congenital causes of DDMS include intrauterine vascular injury and cerebral hemispheric hypoperfusion and acquired causes mostly derive from birth trauma, periventricular leukomalacia, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, cerebral infection, radiation, postictal cerebral hemiatrophy, and prolonged febrile seizures.6, 7 Almost a century after the first description, the pathogenic mechanism remains unclear and is subject to controversy. To date, less than 100 cases have been reported worldwide with only four cases in the African population.8-11 We report here the case of an 18-year-old adolescent who was admitted in our neurology clinic for convulsive status epilepticus and in which clinical and laboratory findings were in favor of DDMS, the first case in Mali.