ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to analyze the etiology, treatment and clinical and electroencephalographic features in adult patients with nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE).

We retrospectively evaluated all consecutive patients with NCSE admitted to our hospital between 2006 and 2010. Patient data and diagnostic test results were recorded. The following treatment protocol was used: 1) Diazepam 10 mg, 2) Phenytoin (18 mg/kg), 3) Midazolam (0.1-0.6 mg/kg/h), and 4) Thiopental (3-5 mg/kg/h) i.v. infusion. The groups were structured according to the necessity of treatment. Group 1 (n: 31): NCSE was treated with diazepam and phenytoin; and Group 2 (n: 7): NCSE was treated with midazolam or thiopental. Group 2 was also defined as refractory status epilepticus (RSE).

We studied 38 episodes in 35 adults (16 men, 19 women; median age: 61.8 years). Of the patients, 84.2% had a history of epilepsy, 44.7% had structural disorders, 13.2% had metabolic disorders, 18.4% had systemic infections, 15.8% had encephalitis, and 5.3% had antiepileptic drug withdrawal. In patients, 65.8% of them exhibited focal and 34.2% exhibited generalized status epilepticus discharges on EEGs. RSE occurred in approximately 18% of patients and was not associated with etiology, history of epilepsy, and clinical or electroencephalographic features.

The majority of our patients had a history of epilepsy. Of the patients, 18% had RSE. There was no significant correlation among the treatment groups with respect to etiology, history of epilepsy, and clinical or electroencephalographic features.

Keywords: Nonconvulsive status epilepticus, EEG