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De novo aphasic status epilepticus
1Department of Neurology, Ottawa General Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
Epilepsia
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Partial status epilepticus can cause aphasia, a language disorder. This case highlights the importance of considering epilepsy in patients with sudden aphasia, with prompt treatment leading to recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epileptology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Aphasia is rarely the sole symptom of partial status epilepticus.
- Clinical and electroencephalography (EEG) documentation of such cases is infrequent.
Observation:
- A healthy woman presented with sudden aphasia, initially misdiagnosed as a stroke.
- EEG/video monitoring confirmed partial status epilepticus in the left temporoparietal region.
Findings:
- Epileptic activity in the temporoparietal area was identified as the cause of aphasia.
- Antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy rapidly resolved the aphasic symptoms.
Implications:
- This case underscores the need to consider partial status epilepticus in the differential diagnosis of acute aphasia.
- Early diagnosis and AED treatment can reverse aphasia caused by partial status epilepticus.