Nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Ictal confusion in later life
S. I. Lee
In 11 patients without histories of absence seizures, acute prolonged
confusion and/or prominent psychiatric manifestations occurred between the
ages of 42 and 76 years, and were accompanied by 1 to 2.5-Hz generalized
spike-wave or multiple spike-wave discharges in the EEGs. The patients were
successfully treated with intravenously administered diazepam followed by
orally administered phenytoin sodium and/or phenobarbital. The ictal
confusion in later life seems to be an entity distinct from the typical
petit mal status of early onset.
