[Nonconvulsive status epilepticus: experience in 33 patients].
BACKGROUND
To review the nonconvulsive status epilepticus diagnosed in a general hospital in order to identify its frequency, electroclinical characteristics and response to medical treatment. PATIENTS ANTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 33 cases of nonconvulsive status epilepticus was undertaken. The diagnosis was based on clinical and EEG manifestations. Data regarding their clinical presentation, previous epilepsy, etiology of the status, its medical management and outcome were analysed.


RESULTS
The 33 patients comprising the study included 20 men and 13 women. The medium age was 49.8 years. A previous history of epilepsy was present in 51.5% of them. Most of the patients presented impaired consciousness (39.4%) or confusional state (36%). The mean duration of the disorder did not exceed 24 hours (64.5%). There were five cases of absence status and 28 of complex partial status, two of them with secondary generalization. A precipitating factor was found in 80% of the patients and the cerebrovascular etiology was the most frequent. There was a good response to phenytoin (80%), although in the first month death was the final outcome for 25% of them.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonconvulsive status epilepticus is an underdiagnosed medical emergency because of its different manifestations, similar to confusional or psyquiatric states. The precipitating factor determines its outcome. A high index of suspicion is needed in order to make a faster diagnosis and treatment.
Camacho
A
A
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. anitiacom@mixmail.com
Pérez-Martínez
D A
DA
Villarejo
A
A
Parrilla
G
G
Floriach-Robert
M
M
De La Peña
P
P
Tejerina
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000927:Anticonvulsants