Epileptic prodromes: Are they nonconvulsive status epilepticus?

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to assess how frequently prodromes occur in an adult patient group from a tertiary referral epilepsy centre and to investigate the EEG changes during the prodromes. METHODS 578 consecutive patients were interviewed on subjective phenomena, experiences heralding the seizures, for at least 30min before the start of the seizure. EEGs were recorded during the prodromes. RESULTS Ten out of 490 included patients had prodromes (2%). We were able to record EEG during prodromes in 6 patients. Three patients had EEG changes corresponding to nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Three patients had unrevealing EEG recordings during prodromes. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that at least in a part of the patients, the prodromes are actually ictal phenomena, and should be treated as nonconvulsive status epilepticus.