Status Epilepticus Questions & Answers

Updated: Jan 07, 2021
  • Author: Julie L Roth, MD; Chief Editor: Stephen A Berman, MD, PhD, MBA  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What does status epilepticus (SE) represent?

What are the signs and symptoms of status epilepticus (SE)?

How is status epilepticus (SE) diagnosed?

How is status epilepticus (SE) treated?

What is status epilepticus (SE)?

When was status epilepticus (SE) first described?

How is status epilepticus (SE) defined?

How is status epilepticus (SE) classified?

What is generalized convulsive status epilepticus (SE)?

What is subtle status epilepticus (SE)?

What is nonconvulsive status epilepticus (SE)?

What is absence status epilepticus (SE)?

What is complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE)?

What is simple partial status epilepticus (SPSE)?

What is the pathophysiology of status epilepticus (SE)?

What causes status epilepticus (SE)?

What is the prevalence of status epilepticus (SE)?

What are the sexual and racial predilections of status epilepticus (SE)?

Which age groups have the highest prevalence of status epilepticus (SE)?

What is the prognosis of status epilepticus (SE)?

What is the mortality associated with status epilepticus (SE)?

What is the prognosis of nonconvulsive status epilepticus (SE)?

What is should be stressed in patient education about status epilepticus (SE)?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of status epilepticus (SE)?

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of nonmotor simple partial status epilepticus (SE)?

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of epilepsy partialis continua (EPC)?

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of complex partial status epilepticus (SE)?

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of refractory status epilepticus (SE)?

Which physical findings are characteristic of status epilepticus (SE)?

What are the possible complications of status epilepticus (SE)?

DDX

How are nonepileptic seizures differentiated from status epilepticus (SE)?

Which conditions are included in the differential diagnoses of simple partial status epilepticus (SPSE)?

Which conditions are included in the differential diagnoses of complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE)?

Which conditions are included in the differential diagnoses of epilepsy partialis continua (EPC)?

What are the differential diagnoses for Status Epilepticus?

Workup

What is included in the workup of status epilepticus (SE)?

How are SPSE and EPC diagnosed?

How is CPSE diagnosed?

What is the role of lab tests in the workup of status epilepticus (SE)?

What is the role of arterial blood gas (ABG) measurement in the workup of status epilepticus (SE)?

What is the role of EEG in the workup of status epilepticus (SE)?

What is the role of CT scanning in the workup of status epilepticus (SE)?

What is the role of MRI in the workup of status epilepticus (SE)?

What is the role of chest radiography in the workup of status epilepticus (SE)?

What is the role of lumbar puncture in the workup of status epilepticus (SE)?

Treatment

How are generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus (SE) and subtle SE treated?

How is epilepsy partialis continua (EPC) treated?

What are the AES guidelines on the treatment of status epilepticus (SE)?

What is included in prehospital care for status epilepticus (SE)?

How is status epilepticus (SE) treated in the emergency department (ED)?

What is the role of antiepileptic medications in the treatment of status epilepticus (SE)?

How is absence status epilepticus (SE) treated?

Medications

What is the role of medications in the treatment of status epilepticus (SE)?

Which medications in the drug class Anesthetics are used in the treatment of Status Epilepticus?

Which medications in the drug class Barbiturates are used in the treatment of Status Epilepticus?

Which medications in the drug class Anticonvulsant Agents are used in the treatment of Status Epilepticus?

Which medications in the drug class Benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of Status Epilepticus?