Treatment of Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus is a neurologic emergency with significant potential morbidity and even mortality. It should be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible, with concurrent rapid identification of the underlying cause. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus can be difficult to diagnose due to its protean manifestations, so a high index of suspicion is vital to prompt diagnosis and effective management. There are several different types and syndromes of nonconvulsive status epilepticus, and appropriate treatment varies according to those types. Some are relatively benign. Others, particularly the nonconvulsive status encountered in sick, hospitalized patients, can be life-threatening. The latter should be treated much more rapidly and aggressively than the former, sometimes even requiring coma-inducing anesthetic agents.