Successful Treatment of Refractory Status Epilepticus Using Anterior Thalamic Nuclei Deep Brain Stimulation

Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is considered a medical emergency in neurology and is related to high mortality. We report a successfully treated case of RSE using deep brain stimulation (DBS) at the anterior thalamic nuclei (ATN) in a 17-year-old woman.

This patient developed RSE as a result of progressive seizure activity. RSE with generalized tonic-clonic seizures was noted 2 weeks before admission. Video electroencephalography monitoring showed continuous 3-Hz generalized spike-and-wave complexes with higher amplitude over bilateral frontal. Four weeks after RSE onset, bilateral DBS of the ATN was started. This treatment was immediately followed by the disappearance of tonic-clonic seizures and spike-and-wave complexes, suggesting resolution of the RSE. Significant clinical improvement was noted 1 week after DBS implantation.

DBS at the ATN significantly improved both the electroencephalography and clinical presentation in the patient with RSE. DBS at the ATN should be considered as a possible treatment choice once a patient develops RSE.