[Status epilepticus. Study of 105 cases 1972-73].

Abstract

We have analyzed 105 cases of Status Epilepticus of variable etiology, cared for over a period of 3 years at the "Instituto de Neurología y Neurocirugía". Age, sex, origin, duration of illness before attending the Institute, Conscience variations, clinical crisis types, condition of Status Epilepticus appearance and unleashing factors were considered. Various complementary investigations were performed, although dissimilar in each case. Follow up EEG's were realized in 60% of the patients and pretherapeutic EEG's were done in less than 50%. The necessary time to control the Status was explained, depending on its duration before commencing treatment. Of 93 surviving patients, it was possible to learn the cause of epilepsy only in 43. The necroscopy study of 12 cases demonstrated that death in 9 patients was inevitable for various causes (tumorous, infectious, vascular, etc.) almost always intricate. In other 3 autopsied patients, only signs of cerebral hypoxia and non-neurologic infectious complications were found. In the discussion, the hypoxia-edema-hypoxia mechanism is insisted upon, as well as the need of breaking this circle as an important part of the treatment of these patients.