An Unusual Cause of Tachycardia: Focal Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus Following Acute Head Trauma

Abstract

Non-convulsive status epilepticus has traditionally been thought of as a rare condition. There is little data regarding its true incidence but evidence suggests it is far more common than once believed. Non-convulsive status epilepticus can have an array of presentations and can be a diagnostic enigma for those unaware of its existence or those who believe, as it was once taught, that this condition is isolated to critically ill patients in the intensive care unit. Herein, we discuss the case of a patient with a focal traumatic brain injury who was found to be in Non-convulsive status epilepticus. This condition is one that physicians need to consider, especially those physicians caring for patients with traumatic brain injury.