Aphasic Status Epilepticus: Two Cases / 대한간질학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & SIGNIFICANCE: Aphasic status epilepticus is an uncommon presentation of a simple partial status epilepticus characterized by prolonged speech impairment with clinical-EEG correlation in the absence of an altered level of consciousness. There has been no published report in Korea. This study reports two adult patients with prolonged aphasia and EEG abnormalities. CASES: Total three episodes of aphasic status epilepticus were documented in two patients. Patients were right-handed 58-year-old and 79-year-old women. The cause was intracranial plasma cell granuloma involving left temporal lobe and old left temporo-parietal hemorrhage respectively. Aphasic symptoms of these patients were characterized by difficult comprehension and jargon speech with clear consciousness. The duration of aphasia ranged 9-14 days. EEG showed continuous periodic lateralized sharp waves in one patient and discrete rhythmic theta to alpha activities in left temporo-parieto-occipital region in the other patient. COMMENTS: Although rare in adults, aphasic status epilepticus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of aphasia.