A Comatose Patient with Continuous Generalized 3 Hz Spike-and-Wave Discharges after Cardiac Arrest

ABSTRACT

The electroencephalogram exhibits continuous epileptiform discharges in many advanced coma stages, described as comatose nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). Comatose NCSE might represent an irreversible brain damage, but its causal role remains unclear. We experienced a comatose patient with continuous generalized 3 Hz spike-and-wave discharges after cerebral anoxia, which is a quiet similar electroencephalographic pattern of typical absence status epilepticus. This case indicates that NCSE in comatose patients may be overdiagnosed if the diagnosis is based on electroencephalographic alterations alone.