title: Levetiracetam-induced myoclonic status epilepticus in myoclonic-astatic epilepsy: a case report.
abstract: We report on a 3-year-old boy with myoclonic-astatic epilepsy who developed myoclonic status epilepticus with continuous twitching of the face and unresponsiveness under monotherapy with levetiracetam. Recently, a nonconvulsive status epilepticus in an adult epilepsy patient has also been described. Our observation points to the possibility of a causal relationship between the induction of myoclonic status by levetiracetam in certain patients with Doose's syndrome. However, a spontaneous evolution cannot be excluded. Levetiracetam is a well-known drug for the control of myoclonic seizures. A controlled study would provide a better understanding of any possible aggravating role in certain forms of myoclonic-astatic epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Department, Swiss Epilepsy Centre, Zurich, Switzerland. judith.kroell@swissepi.ch
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kröll-Seger
authors.forename: Ian William
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Mothersill
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Novak
authors.forename: Ritva Anneli
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sälke-Kellermann
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krämer
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001519:Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004576:Electromyography; D004831:Epilepsies, Myoclonic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005013:Ethosuximide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D005013:Ethosuximide; D010889:Piracetam