title: Subacute encephalopathy with seizures in alcoholics (SESA syndrome) revisited.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper is to describe two additional cases of subacute encephalopathy with seizures in alcoholics (SESA syndrome), and to propose that this entity now should be considered as a subtype of nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE).
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, electroencephalography (EEG), neuroimaging data, and prognosis of these two further cases of SESA syndrome. In addition, we compare our findings with the cases previously described in the English literature in order to propose new diagnostic criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two adults with history of chronic alcohol abuse were admitted because of confusion and seizures. A routine EEG showed frequent periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) localized over the right temporal regions. In one case, we captured two complex partial seizures (CPSs) arising from the right hemisphere. Neuroimaging studies revealed subjacent chronic vascular pathology. Following transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU), both improved to antiepileptic treatment and were discharged with full recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of our findings and a review of the literature, we suggest that SESA syndrome represents a subtype of partial or localization-related NCSE given its particular clinical, electroencephalographic, neuroimaging and prognostic characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Cantabria, Spain; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Cantabria (UNICAN), Santander, Cantabria, Spain; Instituto de Formación e Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IFIMAV), Santander, Spain. Electronic address: jlfernandez@humv.es.
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fernández-Torre
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, USA.
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D057229:Alcoholics / Q000523:psychology; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants
keywords: Alcoholics; Complex partial status epilepticus; Nonconvulsive status epilepticus; Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges; SESA syndrome