title: Non-convulsive status epilepticus in a patient with hypocalcemia.
abstract: Non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), a neurological emergency, is reported to account for approximately 25% of patients presenting in status epilepticus. Diagnosis of NCSE can be delayed or missed because of its often subtle presentation. Hypocalcemia has rarely been reported as a precipitator of NCSE and thus should be considered in the differential. We report the case of a 46-year-old man with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism who presented in NCSE secondary to hypocalcemia. As in patients with convulsive status epilepticus, rapid diagnosis and treatment of patients in NCSE is critical to prevent permanent neurological damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, LAC + USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kline
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Esekogwu
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000150:complications*; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology