Stimulus-sensitive post-anoxic focal motor seizures evolving into generalised myoclonic status epilepticus: a video-EEG study.
We describe the case of a 62-year-old man who developed stimulus-induced focal motor seizures after prolonged cardiac arrest. During a video-EEG study, these focal motor seizures progressed into a generalised myoclonic status epilepticus. Both the severely decremented background activity on the EEG, and the absence of median and trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials were in keeping with a devastating post-hypoxic encephalopathy and the patient died. Our clinical and electrophysiology data suggest that generalised myoclonic status epilepticus may occur in patients in whom the existence of severe cerebral damage prevents a complete development of all phases of classic generalised tonic-clonic seizures.
Fernández-Torre
José L
JL
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology; Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Cantabria, Spain. jlfernandez@humv.es
Santos-Sánchez
Carlos
C
Casariego-Pola
Francisco
F
Calleja
Jesús
J
D004569:Electroencephalography; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014741:Video Recording