Prolonged confusion due to absence status following metrizamide myelography

A case of absence status epilepticus resulted from metrizamide myelography. The acute confusional state following metrizamide myelography is briefly reviewed and compared with the confusional state resulting from adult-onset absence status. The similarities suggest that absence status may in fact be a relatively common cause of prolonged confusion following the use of metrizamide. Given the difficulty in clinical diagnosis and the excellent response to anticonvulsants, the possibility of absence status should be specifically excluded by EEG in any person suffering prolonged confusion following metrizamide myelography.     

Cefixime-induced nonconvulsive status epilepticus

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is an epileptic condition lasting >30 min, clinically manifested by an altered mental state and associated with continuous epileptiform activity on the electroencephalogram. NCSE is a common yet still under recognized condition and delay in diagnosis and treatment may be associated with increased mortality as well as cognitive/behavioral consequences. We described an epileptic female patient assuming carbamazepine (900 mg/day) and levetiracetam (3,000 mg/day), seizure free for more than 10 years, who developed NCSE during cefixime treatment, a third-generation cephalosporin compound that along with penicillins is classified within the b-lactam class of antibiotics. In our report we outline the importance and the difficulty to choose secure antibiotic treatment in epileptic patients, we discuss the possible mechanisms by which cephalosporins induce neurotoxicity and the need to stress family components questioning about new drugs assumed. Finally we highlight the value of the EEG recording to diagnose NCSE and treat it adequately and promptly.     

Pupillary hippus in nonconvulsive status epilepticus

We report the video recording of a patient who experienced pupillary hippus during an episode of nonconvulsive status epilepticus. [Published with video sequences].     

非惊厥性癫(癎)持续状态的现代观点

2001年,国际抗癫(癎)联盟(ILAE)取消了惊厥性癫(癎)持续状态(CSE)和非惊厥性癫(癎)持续状态(NCSE)的分类,但近年实践发现这种传统分类方法具有其合理性,因此仍被临床广泛应用.     

Delirium caused by nonconvulsive status epilepticus

We report about a patient (66 years) who was referred to our psychiatric hospital because of a progressive confusional state with acute onset. The colleagues of the referring psychiatric hospital considered a first manic episode as the cause of the symptoms and under therapy with haloperidol the confusional state had shown a progression.The clinical examination's findings were a mild central facial paresis on the right side and a mild hemiparesis on the right side with elevated reflex levels.The patient was disoriented, he had cognitive and mnestic deficits. His reasoning was slowed, incoherent and perseverating. The patient had a slight euphoria.An EEG recording showed a continuous regional EEG-seizure pattern. In combination with the clinical symptoms we diagnosed a nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Under anticonvulsive treatment with Lorazepam and Valproic acid the status epilepticus sustended but a control EEG recording showed signs of a Valproate-encephalopathy. Under treatment with Topiramate symptoms ameliorated but due to a vascular dementia the patient still showed fluctuating symptoms of cognitive and mnestic disturbances.     

Considerations of nonconvulsive status epilepticus.

The original concepts of absence status (AS) and complex partial status (CPS) are critically reviewed. This review has been prompted by a modern concept of nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), portrayed as a rather common condition occurring chiefly in the critically ill elderly with high morbidity and mortality. This new view is a striking departure from the original concepts of AS and CPS as rare protracted epileptic events occurring usually in temporarily confused but otherwise satisfactorily healthy and ambulatory patients. This new trend appears to have been caused by a misinterpretation of EEG findings: prominent generalized spike activity is in reality the expression of a very severe encephalopathy rather than of NCSE, most often caused by an anoxic episode. The role of EEG is emphasized but a valuable interpretation depends on an expert integration of EEG and clinical data. A brief discussion of epileptic twilight states further stresses the difficult differential diagnosis.     

Ifosfamide encephalopathy and nonconvulsive status epilepticus

BACKGROUND: Ifosfamide (IFX), an alkylating agent and isomer of cyclophosphamide, is used as a single agent or a component of multi-agent chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian, testicular, head and neck cancers, sarcomas and lymphomas. Encephalopathy is manifested by cerebellar ataxia, confusional state, complex visual hallucinations, extrapyramidal signs, seizures, and mutism. CASE REPORTS: We report two patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting with mutism and confusional state after IFX infusion. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) as the cause of confusion was diagnosed on the basis of EEG pattern and the apparent improvement following intravenous administration of diazepam. CONCLUSIONS: Electroencephalogram abnormalities during IFX treatment have been described but recordings are only available in six cases. In three of them, paroxysmal alterations warranted the diagnosis of NCSE; however, most cases of IFX encephalopathy might have associated NCSE.     

Use of pregabalin for nonconvulsive seizures and nonconvulsive status epilepticus

PurposeTo determine the efficacy of pregabalin (PGB) in treatment of frequent nonconvulsive seizures (NCS) and nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in critically ill patients.MethodsIn this retrospective study, 21 patients were identified as having received pregabalin for the treatment of NCS as determined by continuous electroencephalographic monitoring. The patients were considered to be responders if their seizures were terminated within 24 h of initiation of PGB without the addition of another antiepileptic agent.ResultsOf the 21 patients who received PGB for treatment of NCS or NCSE, 11 (52%) were responders. PGB was administered via a nasogastric tube or orally and was the 2nd to 4th agent used. The average initial dose and total daily dose of PGB was similar in the responders and non-responders (342 mg vs. 360 mg, respectively). PGB was more effective in aborting NCS (9 patients, 82%) than NCSE (2 patients, 18%). Of the 9 brain tumor patients, PGB resulted in seizure cessation in 67% (6 patients). In contrast, all patients with hypoxic injury (4) did not respond to PGB. The responders were noted to have better clinical outcome (64% vs. 9% discharged home). Most of the patients tolerated the medication without any significant short term adverse effects, except two patients who were noted to have dizziness and sedation.ConclusionsPregabalin may be safe option for add-on treatment for nonconvulsive seizures in critically ill patients when conventional therapy fails.     

Prosopagnosia following nonconvulsive status epilepticus associated with a left fusiform gyrus malformation

A 67-year-old, right-handed woman became unable to recognize familiar faces following a period of nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Neuropsychological assessment revealed a relatively selective impairment of familiar face recognition in the absence of low-level visual deficits or widespread cognitive impairment. MRI scanning demonstrated an isolated lesion, probably a venous angioma, involving the left fusiform gyrus, mirror-symmetrical to the site typically linked to prosopagnosia. Potential explanations for the patient's prosopagnosia include seizure-related damage to a left fusiform region required for fully competent face recognition and damage to the contralateral fusiform gyrus via interhemispheric connections. Focal neuropsychological deficits in patients with refractory partial epilepsy who develop nonconvulsive status epilepticus may be underdiagnosed.     

Genetic aspects of nonconvulsive status epilepticus.

We studied the occurrence of seizure disorders within the immediate family in 3 groups of probands: (1) 64 epileptic children with nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE); (2) 454 epileptic children who have had no episodes of NCSE; (3) 306 healthy children, matched for age and sex. Recurrence of seizures among relatives of epileptic probands without NCSE was significantly higher than among the general population, both in generalized and partial epilepsies. We also observed an increased incidence of convulsions among the relatives of probands with NCSE and the general population; no differences were noted between epileptic children with or without NCSE. These data support the hypothesis that genetic factors play an important role in the etiology of seizure disorders in children with NCSE.     

Frontal nonconvulsive status epilepticus manifesting somatic hallucinations

Somatic hallucinations are subjective experience of false, strange sensations of things occurring in or to the body. They can be seen in psychotic disorders, but have not been well described as an ictal psychosis in patients with nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) of frontal origin. We reported a 69-year-old woman who had NCSE of frontal origin manifesting prolonged somatic hallucinations mimicking a psychiatric disorder and initially treated as such. Ictal EEG revealed the frontal focus and ictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) showed the activation, not only in the frontal area but also in the parietal area as the projected regions, both of which might be associated with the development of her symptoms. She also had two generalized tonic-chronic seizures out of psychosis. Her psychosis and ictal rhythmic discharges on EEG ceased with valproate and she has since remained free from the symptoms. The current case suggests that long-lasting somatic hallucinations could be an ictal psychosis in frontal NCSE and thus an EEG study is needed for an early diagnosis and treatment.     

Tuberculous meningitis presenting with nonconvulsive status epilepticus

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is an enduring epileptic condition characterized by alteration in consciousness and continuous ictal discharges on the EEG. Various etiologies have been reported. We describe the case of a 66-year-old woman with altered mental status who was diagnosed with NCSE. A workup to explain the etiology revealed tuberculous meningitis (TBM) with increased cerebrospinal fluid protein and positive tuberculous DNA polymerase chain reaction and interferon-γ assay tests. She was treated according to the status epilepticus protocol with a four-drug anti-tuberculosis regimen to which she responded. TBM is a serious disease with insidious presentation and still constitutes a diagnostic challenge with its various presentations. Among the many presentations of tuberculosis, clinicians should consider NCSE.     

Intravenous Lacosamide in refractory nonconvulsive status epilepticus

BackgroundMany patients present with refractory Status epilepticus (SE) despite multiple anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Lacosamide (LCM) was recently approved as an adjunct AED for partial-onset seizures. It has unique mechanism of modulating voltage-gated sodium channels by enhancing their slow inactivation. LCM has demonstrated efficacy in animal models of pharmacoresistant seizures. To date, there are isolated anecdotal reports of LCM use in SE.ObjectiveTo report a single center experience with IV Lacosamide in patients with NCSE.MethodsPharmacy records were reviewed to identify patients with SE who received IV LCM in our institution. Data on demographics, response to therapy and adverse effects/outcomes were analyzed. All patients had continuous EEG monitoring.Results10 patients (4 men, 6 women), age 16–90 years with refractory SE were given LCM. Eight patients were in focal non-convulsive SE (NCSE), 2 were in generalized non-convulsive SE. The etiologies included anoxic brain injury, idiopathic, encephalitis, tumor, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), stroke, and AVM. IV LCM was added after traditional AEDs, including drug-induced coma in some, failed to control the SE. NCSE resolved in 7/10 patients whereas 1/10 patient showed partial response with cessation of NCSE but still frequent electrographic seizures and 2/10 patients were resistant to therapy.ConclusionsLCM is a useful adjunct in refractory NCSE. The IV formulation allows prompt administration in the intensive care unit setting. Response was seen especially in focal SE. Similar to other AEDs, response was poor in patients with postanoxic injury. Our data is limited by the small number of patients. Larger controlled studies are necessary to assess accurately the efficacy of IV LCM as an early treatment of SE.