lacosamide and Epilepsia-Partialis-Continua

Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening medical emergency which is frequently encountered in the critical care setting and can be refractory to treatment. Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is defined as SE that has failed to respond to adequately used first-line and second-line antiepileptic medications. Super refractory status epilepticus is defined as SE that persists for 24 hours or more after the use of an anaesthetic agent or recurs after its withdrawal.If SE persists beyond a period of 7 days it is referred to as prolonged, refractory status epilepticus (PRSE). There are limited data guiding treatment of RSE in the paediatric population.Lacosamide (LCM) is licensed as an adjunctive treatment for partial-onset seizures. Evidence for the efficacy of LCM in paediatric SE is scarce. This case report may suggest a synergistic effect of LCM on slow-activation sodium channels in conjunction with medications such as phenytoin that causes fast inactivation of sodium channels. The dual fast and slow inactivation of sodium channels may enhance the effectiveness in treatment of RSE. This is the first case report of PRSE in an infant, successfully treated with LCM. A brief review of literature is also a part of this report.

Topics: Anticonvulsants; Epilepsia Partialis Continua; Humans; Infant; Lacosamide; Seizures; Status Epilepticus

Isolated abdominal epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) without the involvement of other body parts is rarely seen. Abdominal EPC usually occurs either as a part of hemibody EPC or as an evolution of refractory EPC after initial treatment. As the isolated abdominal EPC was rarely reported up to date, the data regarding its pathophysiology and management are limited. Herein, we aimed to describe the clinical, neuroimaging, and electroencephalographic findings of a patient with abdominal EPC.. A 48-year-old woman with a history of surgical resection for right posterior frontal astrocytoma was admitted with left abdominal EPC. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a residual mass lesion and encephalomalacia in the right frontoparietal region.. Although the initial electroencephalography (EEG) was normal, independent spikes were detected in the right frontal and parietal derivations in the second EEG. Although her EPC was refractory to levetiracetam, lamotrigine, phenytoin, and gabapentin, oral lacosamide treatment ceased the seizures.. The history of this patient emphasizes the necessity of repetitive recordings in case of a normal initial EEG. The independent spikes in her frontal and parietal regions suggested the presence of a large epileptogenic zone generating independent epileptiform activities in the pre-central motor cortex and the post-central sensory cortex as the pathophysiologic phenomena in persistent abdominal EPC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report presenting a patient experiencing an abdominal EPC due to a cerebral mass resolved with lacosamide suggesting this drug is a promising treatment option in resistant EPC.

Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Anticonvulsants; Astrocytoma; Brain; Electroencephalography; Epilepsia Partialis Continua; Female; Humans; Lacosamide; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; Treatment Outcome

A 39-year-old male with epilepsia partialis continua, refractory to first- and second-line antiepileptic drugs, is described. Lacosamide produced a progressive antiepileptic effect on Jacksonian motor seizures and subsequently on positive myoclonus, which developed into negative myoclonus before complete resolution. Our report confirms the efficacy of lacosamide on focal motor refractory status epilepticus and documents a unique effect of lacosamide on seizure semiology.

Topics: Acetamides; Adult; Anticonvulsants; Epilepsia Partialis Continua; Hematoma, Subdural; Humans; Lacosamide; Male