title: Status epilepticus with visual seizures in ketotic hyperglycemia.
abstract: Metabolic disturbances are often associated with epileptic seizures, but the pathogenesis of this relationship is poorly understood. We describe the case of a 48-year-old man who presented with complex partial status epilepticus with visual seizures in the context of ketotic hyperglycemia. The EEG revealed a temporal epileptogenic focus and alterations were apparent on MRI in the acute phase and 4 months later. Very few cases of seizures in ketotic patients have been reported because ketone bodies have a protective effect against epilepsy. Seizures in hyperglycemia tend to be partial, and the only reports of visual seizures were due to occipital foci. Neuroradiological alterations have been reported in epileptic seizures, although usually in generalized seizures. The clinical, electrical, and imaging characteristics of this case are interesting and suggest that partial seizures can also cause long-term neuronal damage.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Fundacio Salut Emporda, Figueres, Girona, Spain. raulrail@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez-Fernández
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gelabert
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pablo
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molins
mesh_terms: D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007662:Ketosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin