Successful treatment of non-convulsive status epilepticus diagnosed using bedside monitoring by a combination of amplitude-integrated and two-channel simplified electroencephalography

Case A 66-year-old man developed disturbed consciousness and right hemiparesis with transient convulsions in the right arm. Bedside monitoring using a combination of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography and two-channel simplified electroencephalography revealed intermittent episodes of 1–3 Hz δ waves lasting for approximately 5 min, consistent with non-convulsive status epilepticus. Fosphenytoin (22.5 mg/kg/day) and levetiracetam (1,000 mg) prevented right arm convulsions but did not restore consciousness. The two-channel simplified electroencephalography also showed an intermittent periodic δ wave pattern in the Fp1-C3 channel. Conventional electroencephalography revealed a polymorphic δ activity that was abolished by 2.5 mg diazepam, thus confirming the diagnosis of non-convulsive status epilepticus. Outcome The patient recovered completely with the antiepileptic drug combination. Conclusion Immediate initiation of bedside monitoring using amplitude-integrated electroencephalography and two-channel simplified electroencephalography allows early detection of non-convulsive status epilepticus in patients with disturbed consciousness, which considerably improves the prognosis.