Evolution of Cerebral Atrophy in a Patient with Super Refractory Status Epilepticus Treated with Barbiturate Coma

Introduction. Status epilepticus is associated with neuronal breakdown. Radiological sequelae of status epilepticus include diffusion weighted abnormalities and T2/FLAIR cortical hyperintensities corresponding to the epileptogenic cortex. However, progressive generalized cerebral atrophy from status...

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Main Authors: Christopher R. Newey, Pravin George, Premkumar Nattanmai, Christine Ahrens, Stephen Hantus, Aarti Sarwal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Neurological Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/9131579
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author Christopher R. Newey
Pravin George
Premkumar Nattanmai
Christine Ahrens
Stephen Hantus
Aarti Sarwal
author_facet Christopher R. Newey
Pravin George
Premkumar Nattanmai
Christine Ahrens
Stephen Hantus
Aarti Sarwal
author_sort Christopher R. Newey
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Status epilepticus is associated with neuronal breakdown. Radiological sequelae of status epilepticus include diffusion weighted abnormalities and T2/FLAIR cortical hyperintensities corresponding to the epileptogenic cortex. However, progressive generalized cerebral atrophy from status epilepticus is underrecognized and may be related to neuronal death. We present here a case of diffuse cerebral atrophy that developed during the course of super refractory status epilepticus management despite prolonged barbiturate coma. Methods. Case report and review of the literature. Case. A 19-year-old male with a prior history of epilepsy presented with focal clonic seizures. His seizures were refractory to multiple anticonvulsants and eventually required pentobarbital coma for 62 days and midazolam coma for 33 days. Serial brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed development of cerebral atrophy at 31 days after admission to our facility and progression of the atrophy at 136 days after admission. Conclusion. This case highlights the development and progression of generalized cerebral atrophy in super refractory status epilepticus. The cerebral atrophy was noticeable at 31 days after admission at our facility which emphasizes the urgency of definitive treatment in patients who present with super refractory status epilepticus. Further research into direct effects of therapeutic coma is warranted.
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spelling doaj-art-41a9917becd94a71ac4d8f569b11a6622025-02-03T01:30:11ZengWileyCase Reports in Neurological Medicine2090-66682090-66762017-01-01201710.1155/2017/91315799131579Evolution of Cerebral Atrophy in a Patient with Super Refractory Status Epilepticus Treated with Barbiturate ComaChristopher R. Newey0Pravin George1Premkumar Nattanmai2Christine Ahrens3Stephen Hantus4Aarti Sarwal5Department of Neurology, University of Missouri, 5 Hospital Drive, CE 540, Columbia, MO 65211, USACleveland Clinic, Department of Neurology, Cerebrovascular Center, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44125, USADepartment of Neurology, University of Missouri, 5 Hospital Drive, CE 540, Columbia, MO 65211, USACleveland Clinic, Department of Pharmacy, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44125, USACleveland Clinic, Department of Neurology, Cerebrovascular Center, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44125, USAWake Forest University School of Medicine, Neurology and Critical Care (Anesthesia), Reynolds M, Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USAIntroduction. Status epilepticus is associated with neuronal breakdown. Radiological sequelae of status epilepticus include diffusion weighted abnormalities and T2/FLAIR cortical hyperintensities corresponding to the epileptogenic cortex. However, progressive generalized cerebral atrophy from status epilepticus is underrecognized and may be related to neuronal death. We present here a case of diffuse cerebral atrophy that developed during the course of super refractory status epilepticus management despite prolonged barbiturate coma. Methods. Case report and review of the literature. Case. A 19-year-old male with a prior history of epilepsy presented with focal clonic seizures. His seizures were refractory to multiple anticonvulsants and eventually required pentobarbital coma for 62 days and midazolam coma for 33 days. Serial brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed development of cerebral atrophy at 31 days after admission to our facility and progression of the atrophy at 136 days after admission. Conclusion. This case highlights the development and progression of generalized cerebral atrophy in super refractory status epilepticus. The cerebral atrophy was noticeable at 31 days after admission at our facility which emphasizes the urgency of definitive treatment in patients who present with super refractory status epilepticus. Further research into direct effects of therapeutic coma is warranted.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/9131579
spellingShingle Christopher R. Newey
Pravin George
Premkumar Nattanmai
Christine Ahrens
Stephen Hantus
Aarti Sarwal
Evolution of Cerebral Atrophy in a Patient with Super Refractory Status Epilepticus Treated with Barbiturate Coma
Case Reports in Neurological Medicine
title Evolution of Cerebral Atrophy in a Patient with Super Refractory Status Epilepticus Treated with Barbiturate Coma
title_full Evolution of Cerebral Atrophy in a Patient with Super Refractory Status Epilepticus Treated with Barbiturate Coma
title_fullStr Evolution of Cerebral Atrophy in a Patient with Super Refractory Status Epilepticus Treated with Barbiturate Coma
title_full_unstemmed Evolution of Cerebral Atrophy in a Patient with Super Refractory Status Epilepticus Treated with Barbiturate Coma
title_short Evolution of Cerebral Atrophy in a Patient with Super Refractory Status Epilepticus Treated with Barbiturate Coma
title_sort evolution of cerebral atrophy in a patient with super refractory status epilepticus treated with barbiturate coma
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/9131579
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