Tonic non-colonic convulsions-status epilepticus- as the presenting complaint of COVID-19

COVID19 might present as neurological symptoms including headaches, dizziness, anosmia, stroke, and loss of consciousness. Cases with severe COVID-19 are more likely to be complicated by neurological symptoms, but tonic non-colonic convulsion is still a rare presentation of COVID19 as an initial symptom.

A 23-years old male presented to the ambulance with a complaint of loss of consciousness for more than 1 h and tonic convulsions without clonic movements. The investigations including computed tomography for the brain and chest and lumbar puncture were within normal range and the diagnostic workup concluded that COVID-19 is the cause of the status epilepticus.

Our case demonstrates a tonic non-clonic convulsion as a possible complication for COVID-19 infection as some respiratory viruses can cause neurological symptoms. After excluding the co-incidence of other pathological etiologies, we highly suspect that the seizures in our case are generated by COVID-19 infection.

This case represents a rare case in the literature review which can increase the awareness of tonic non-clonic seizures and other neurological manifestations as the presenting symptom of the COVID19.