Focal cerebral magnetic resonance changes associated with partial status epilepticus

Permanent hemiparesis due to partial status epilepticus

Partial status epilepticus (SE) produces permanent focal neurologic deficits if it lasts for months or is associated with systemic illness or CNS inflammation. We describe a patient in focal SE for just 5 days. Attacks were her habitual frontal lobe seizures. When SE stopped, permanent contralateral hemiparesis was present. There was no new cause for the weakness except the SE itself. We conclude that partial SE requires prompt and effective treatment, since it can lead to permanent neurologic dysfunction.