Seizures as a cause of altered mental status.
The differential diagnosis and empiric management of altered mental status and seizures often overlap. Altered mental status may accompany seizures or simply be the manifestation of a postictal state. This article provides an overview of the numerous causes of altered mental status and seizures: metabolic, toxic, malignant, infectious, and endocrine causes. The article focuses on those agents that should prompt the emergency physician to initiate unique therapy to abate the seizure and correct the underlying cause.
Slattery
David E
DE
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 901 Rancho Lane, Suite #135, Las Vegas, NV 89106, USA. dslatts@mac.com
Pollack
Charles V
CV
D020270:Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications