title: A semiological classification of status epilepticus.
abstract: The classification of status epilepticus (SE) has been a subject of discussion for many years, yet no satisfactory agreement has been reached. Due to their complexity, status episodes often defy classification according to the current international classification scheme. The semiological seizure classification (SSC) has been in use in several epilepsy centers for more than a decade, and has proven to be a valid approach to the classification of epileptic seizures. Based on the detailed analysis of more than 100 episodes of SE documented with video-EEG recordings, the authors now present a proposal for a semiological classification of status epilepticus (SCSE). The SCSE reflects the assumption implied by all modern definitions of SE that "there are as many types of status as there are types of seizures" and relies on the same principles as the SSC, focusing on the main clinical manifestations and the evolution of the status episode. The clinical manifestations of SE are subdivided into semiological components and classified along three axes: the type of brain function predominantly compromised by the seizure activity, the body part involved, and the evolution over time. Each axis contains several subcategories, so that many different levels of accuracy are possible. The SCSE, just like the SSC, is meant to be part of a comprehensive epilepsy classification which classifies as independent variables (epileptogenic zone, ictal semiology, etiology, related medical conditions) the main features of the patient's epilepsy, allowing for each variable maximum flexibility.
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Freiburg, Germany. rona@nz.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rona
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rosenow
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carreño
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Diehl
authors.forename: Alois
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ebner
authors.forename: Brita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fritsch
authors.forename: Hajo M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hamer
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Holthausen
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knake
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.forename: Soheyl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noachtar
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pieper
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tuxhorn
authors.forename: Hans O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Lüders
mesh_terms: D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000145:classification* / Q000266:history / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D009626:Terminology as Topic