title: Non-convulsive status epilepticus characterised exclusively by a language disorder induced by non-ketotic hyperglycaemia.
abstract: Non-ketotic hyperglycaemia is an endocrine emergency characterised by elevated blood glucose levels and high plasma osmolarity. While hypoglycaemia-induced seizures are usually generalised, hyperglycaemia-induced seizures are often focal and secondary to the presence of brain lesions. Moreover, in the few studies in which language disorders of epileptic origin have been reported as a clinical manifestation of non-ketotic hyperglycaemia, the disorders were usually not isolated but were followed by partial motor seizures. We describe a patient who presented with non-convulsive partial status epilepticus and whose only sign was a fluctuating language disorder induced by non-ketotic hyperglycaemia. There were no accompanying brain lesions and the patient responded optimally to diazepam. Neurophysiological EEG evaluation was fundamental for the diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. stefanopro1974@libero.it
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pro
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Randi
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pulitano
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vicenzini
authors.forename: Oriano
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mecarelli
mesh_terms: D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000150:complications*; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis