Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Complex partial status epilepticus
Introduction
Synonyms and keywords: CPSE; chronic partial SE.
Overview
Overview
Complex Partial Status Epilepticus is one of the non-convulsive forms of Status epilepticus, a rare form of epilepsy defined by its recurrent nature. CPSE is characterized by seizures involving long-lasting stupor, staring and unresponsiveness.[1] Sometimes this is accompanied by motor automatisms, such as eye twitching.[2]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
As is the case with other non-convulsive status epilepticus forms, CPSE is often underdiagnosed.[3] This is due to the potentially fatal yet veiled nature of the symptoms. Usually, an Electroencephalogram, or EEG, is needed to confirm a neurologist’s suspicions. The EEG is also needed to differentiate between absence status epilepticus (which affects the entire brain), and CPSE, which only affects one region.[4]
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment includes anti-epileptic drugs, such as barbituates, benzodiazepines and topiramate.
References
References
- ↑ neuro/114 at eMedicine
- ↑ Fernández-Torre JL, Gutiérrez-Pérez R, Velasco-Zarzosa M (2003). “Non-convulsive status epilepticus”. Revista de neurologia (in Spanish; Castilian). 37 (8): 744–52. PMID 14593634.
- ↑ Murthy JM (2003). “Nonconvulsive status epilepticus: An under diagnosed and potentially treatable condition”. Neurology India. 51 (4): 453–4.
- ↑ Husain AM, Horn GJ, Jacobson MP (2003). “Non-convulsive status epilepticus: usefulness of clinical features in selecting patients for urgent EEG”. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. 74 (2): 189–91. PMID 12531946.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]