Recurrent alcohol-induced seizures in a patient with chronic alcohol abuse.
Seizures related to alcohol are a common finding, and are usually attributed to alcohol withdrawal, or to a neurotoxic effect of ethanol leading to seizures that are unrelated to acute alcohol consumption or withdrawal. However, there is also evidence for a third kind of alcohol-related seizure: alcohol-induced seizures. We describe a 36-year-old patient who, during the years from 1996-2006, was admitted 27 times with alcohol-induced seizures that occurred during alcohol consumption. Excluding one documented withdrawal seizure, serum ethanol levels at admission were 3.24 +/- 0.67%. There were no seizures that were unrelated to alcohol consumption. This case report supports the evidence of a seizure-provoking effect of ethanol that should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with alcohol-dependency and seizures.
Department of Neurology, University of Marburg, Germany. hattemer@med.uni-marburg.de
Katja
K
Hattemer
Susanne
S
Knake
Wolfgang H
WH
Oertel
Hajo M
HM
Hamer
Felix
F
Rosenow
D000328:Adult; D020270:Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures / Q000503:physiopathology; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000150:complications; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced*
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol