Headache as a sole manifestation of non-convulsive status epilepticus

ABSTRACT

Non-convulsive status epilepticus [NCSE] may present with several manifestations, many of which may not be obvious. The most important tool for the diagnosis of NCSE is the electroencephalograph [EEG] pattern. This is a case report of a boy 9 years of age presenting with severe and continuous headache. He had received chemotherapy for histiocytosis, diagnosed at the age of 3.5 years. No evidence of central nervous system [CNS] involvement was found. He was diagnosed as having NCSE and following anticonvulsant therapy the headache and EEG abnormality disappeared completely within 24 hours. Headache and seizure disorder may coexist in different situations; to our knowledge this maybe the first report of NCSE with headache as a sole manifestation