Status Epilepticus can assume as many forms as there are types of epileptic seizures, and its clinical outcome largely depends on the etiology. Convulsive Status Epilepticus is a common emergency associated with high morbidity and mortality, but prompt and appropriate pharmacological therapy can reduce both. The authors present a rational treatment protocol for this syndrome.

Transient elevation of serum prolactin frequently follows generalised tonic-clonic and complex partial seizures. However, the levels of prolactin during status epilepticus are not increased above the normal range. Exhaustion of central prolactin supplies has been proposed as a possible mechanism for the absence of prolactin increase during status epilepticus. To test this hypothesis we injected...

Nefopam, a centrally acting analgesic, has been used to control postoperative pain. Reported adverse effects are anticholinergic, cardiovascular or neuropsychiatric. Neurologic adverse reactions to nefopam are confusion, hallucinations, delirium and convulsions. There are several reports about fatal convulsive seizures, presumably related to nefopam. A 71-year-old man was admitted for surgery f...

Definitions Infants and children can have both convulsive and non-convulsive forms of prolonged seizures. This article addresses only convulsive episodes of status epilepticus, which is strictly defined as two or more seizures occurring consecutively without an intervening period of full recovery of consciousness, or as recurrent epileptic seizures lasting for more than 30 minutes. Unfortunatel...

PURPOSE Systematic evaluation of published evidence-base of the efficacy of five antiepileptic drugs - lacosamide, levetiracetam, valproate, phenytoin and phenobarbital - in convulsive benzodiazepine-resistant status epilepticus. METHODS Data sources included electronic databases, personal communication, and back tracing of references in pertinent studies. These were prospective and retrospec...

Definitions Infants and children can have both convulsive and non-convulsive forms of prolonged seizures. This article addresses only convulsive episodes of status epilepticus, which is strictly defined as two or more seizures occurring consecutively without an intervening period of full recovery of consciousness, or as recurrent epileptic seizures lasting for more than 30 minutes. Unfortunatel...

Epilepsy is the most common and serious neurological symptom in ring chromosome 14 syndrome, also characterised by mild dysmorphisms, acquired microcephaly, cognitive impairment, hypotonia and ocular abnormalities. Typically, early-onset, polymorphous and drug-resistant seizures are reported. Status epilepticus has not been previously reported. We describe a nine-year-old Caucasian boy with rin...

Status epilepticus is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. General treatment is aimed at restoring physiologic homeostasis, and drug therapy is aimed at arresting the convulsive activity and preventing its recurrence. Concurrent administration of diazepam and either phenytoin or phenobarbital will be effective in most cases. After the status epilepticus has been treated the underl...

Overt status epilepticus and persistent obtundation after a witnessed clinical seizure are neurologic emergencies. Early recognition and intervention in the electroclinical syndrome of status epilepticus reduces morbidity, although treatment of the underlying etiology is also critical. This review outlines key concepts related to status epilepticus, delineates an approach to the early managemen...