Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus in Intensive Care Unit.
Abstract number :
2.129
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
1670
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
P. Benna, MD, Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; P. Costa, MD, Neurosurgery, C.T.O. Hospital, Turin, Italy; E. Montalenti, MD, Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; M. Bonzanino, MD, Neurosurgery, C.T
RATIONALE: Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) can occur in comatose patients with no clear clinical sign of seizures: its identification and treatment can contribute to a better outcome.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical and electroencephalographic data obtained in 62 consecutive patients admitted in our intensive care unit between January and September 2000: all of them presented various degree of consciousness alteration. The EEG criteria for NCSE consisted of discrete electrographic seizures, continuous spike and wave activity, or rhythmic recurrent epileptiform activity lasting at least 30 minutes without clear clinical seizure activity; these demonstrated marked improvement with the intravenous injection of a benzodiazepine.
RESULTS: Seven patients (11.3%) showed EEG features of NCSE, in absence of unequivocal clinical signs of seizures. Aetiology of NCSE was anoxia (2 pts.), traumatic brain injury (3 pts.), subarachnoidal hemorrhage (1 pt.) and renal failure plus NCSE (1 pt.).
CONCLUSIONS: NCSE is a frequent, treatable, often unrecognized cause of coma: EEG should be included in the evaluation of comatose patients even in absence of clinical signs of seizures.