Evaluation of the patient with spells.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: : The neurologic consultant is frequently called to evaluate the patient with transient neurologic deficits, or spells. Spells can present with a broad array of clinical features, making a systematic evaluation challenging. Familiarity with a variety of key features for different spell types will help the consultant create an appropriate differential diagnosis to guide the diagnostic evaluation. RECENT FINDINGS: : Recent practice parameters outline the appropriate evaluation for patients presenting with first unprovoked seizure, and an update in the International League Against Epilepsy classification scheme for seizures has shifted the terminology used to describe these spells. When a spell cannot be unambiguously identified as a seizure, recent studies propose features to help distinguish syncope, sleep disorders, and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. For patients who are critically ill, extended EEG monitoring is increasingly available, and there is a growing appreciation for the high burden of seizures and status epilepticus in the intensive care unit population. SUMMARY: : This article reviews the most common paroxysmal spell types encountered on the acute care ward and in the intensive care unit, discusses clinical features that help distinguish various spell types, and proposes a systematic evaluation for use by the neurologic consultant.

Electroconvulsive therapy for refractory status epilepticus: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Status epilepticus refractory to conventional anti-epileptic drugs typically has a poor prognosis, but patients may recover well if seizures can be stopped. Case reports suggest that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may stop seizures in patients with refractory status epilepticus, and we sought to examine its effectiveness in a series of patients. METHODS: Three consecutive patients with refractory status epilepticus at our institution were treated with ECT after other therapies had failed. RESULTS: ECT stopped seizures in 2 of 3 patients. One patient had complete neurological recovery; the other was left with mild cognitive impairment and epilepsy, but returned to independent living. CONCLUSION: ECT may be an effective therapy for refractory status epilepticus and warrants further study for this indication.