ABSTRACT
Postictal aphasia may be a feature of Todd's paralysis or the presentation of aphasic nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). We describe a 74-year-old woman with three episodes of aphasic status epilepticus after prolonged generalized tonic-clonic seizures. In the first episode, the NCSE was not definitively diagnosed, but an increase in the epileptic medication led to resolution of the epileptic activity within 2 weeks. During the second episode, NCSE was terminated within 7 days under intensified antiepileptic treatment. In the third episode, phenytoin treatment led to intoxication and resulted in further treatment on an intensive care unit. The patient required several months to recover from this episode. NCSE in the elderly is difficult to recognize, especially when it presents as a prolonged postictal deficit like aphasia. Once diagnosed it has to be treated carefully, because in the elderly, aggressive treatment strategies may be associated with a high risk of adverse events.
Subject(s)
Aphasia/diagnosis , Paralysis/diagnosis , Seizures/diagnosis , Status Epilepticus/diagnosis , Aged , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Aphasia/drug therapy , Diagnosis, Differential , Electroencephalography , Female , Humans , Seizures/drug therapy , Status Epilepticus/drug therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Experimental trauma and hemorrhage acutely reduce capillary blood flow in all organs except the heart. After reinfusion of the withdrawn blood a long-lasting increase of pulmonary bronchial blood flow and hepatic and renal blood flow is observed parallel to a rise in cardiac output. However, blood flow in the intestines, pancreas, and spleen remains significantly reduced. Particularly, renal and pulmonary bronchial blood flow is significantly higher in animals surviving for 72 hr than in animals succumbing after an average of 32 hr.
