Autonomic status epilepticus in Panayiotopoulos syndrome and other childhood and adult epilepsies: a consensus view.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss and propose a definition of autonomic status epilepticus (SE), describe its clinical and EEG features, and review what is known about its epidemiology, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, and management.


METHODS
An international consortium of established researchers in the field was identified from their published work, agreed the purpose of the project, searched the literature, and, by use of e-mail communication, agreed the consensus document.


RESULTS
Autonomic SE is a condition lasting at least 30 min and characterized by epileptic activity causing altered autonomic function of any type at seizure onset or in which manifestations consistent with altered autonomic function are prominent (quantitatively dominant or clinically important) even if not present at seizure onset. It is best described, and probably most commonly encountered in children, with Panayiotopoulos syndrome. However, it also occurs in children with symptomatic epilepsies and, exceptionally, in adults. Its pathogenesis and most appropriate management are poorly understood.


CONCLUSIONS
It is hoped that this document will help clinical recognition of Autonomic SE, reduce misdiagnosis, and promote further interest and studies into what has been a relatively neglected area.
Ferrie
Colin D
CD
Department of Paediatric Neurology, Leeds General Infirmary, United Kingdom. colindferrie@aol.com
Caraballo
Roberto
R
Covanis
Athanasios
A
Demirbilek
Veysi
V
Dervent
Aysin
A
Fejerman
Natalio
N
Fusco
Lucia
L
Grünewald
Richard A
RA
Kanazawa
Osamu
O
Koutroumanidis
Michael
M
Lada
Christina
C
Livingston
John H
JH
Nicotra
Alessia
A
Oguni
Hirokazu
H
Martinovic
Zarko
Z
Nordli
Douglas R
DR
Parisi
Pasquale
P
Scott
Rod C
RC
Specchio
Nicola
N
Verrotti
Alberto
A
Vigevano
Federico
F
Walker
Matthew C
MC
Watanabe
Kazuyoshi
K
Yoshinaga
Harumi
H
Panayiotopoulos
Chrysostomos P
CP
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019305:Epilepsy, Rolandic / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013577:Syndrome; D009626:Terminology as Topic