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Nonconvulsive status epilepticus presenting as a subacute progressive aphasia
1Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Seizure
|September 19, 2002
Summary
This study details a 62-year-old man with non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) presenting as progressive aphasia. Gradual aphasia recovery occurred after anticonvulsant treatment, differing from typical abrupt presentations.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) can present with varied neurological deficits.
- Aphasia as a primary manifestation of NCSE is uncommon.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old male presented with a 5-week history of progressive aphasia.
- Video-EEG monitoring revealed seizure activity in the left fronto-temporal area correlating with aphasia severity.
- FDG-PET showed hypometabolism in the left anterior temporal lobe.
Findings:
- Anticonvulsant treatment led to gradual aphasia recovery over several weeks.
- Epileptic discharges resolved promptly on EEG, but aphasia recovery was slower.
- The insidious onset and gradual resolution of aphasia distinguish this case from previously reported NCSE with aphasia.
Implications:
- This case expands the clinical spectrum of NCSE presentations.
- Highlights the importance of considering NCSE in cases of progressive aphasia, even with insidious onset.
- Suggests that the temporal course of aphasia recovery may provide clues to the underlying etiology in NCSE.