Epilepsy with higher brain dysfunction associated with non-convulsive status epilepticus in a hemodialysis case

Abstract

We report an 87-year-old female hemodialysis case who suffered epilepsy with higher brain dysfunction (E-HBD) associated with non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). Focal brain edema caused by excess fluid and uncontrolled blood pressure due to insufficient hemodialysis was a possible cause of NCSE. The patient was successfully treated by early anti-epileptic therapy. NCSE is a heterogeneous disorder with multiple subtypes. Therefore it is often difficult to diagnosis and delayed diagnosis sometimes leads to poor prognosis. Thus, early electroencephalography is essential for hemodialysis patients presenting impaired consciousness and/or higher brain dysfunction of unknown cause, under suspicion of NCSE.