Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus is a neurologic and medical emergency and should be recognized and treated as soon as possible. Common etiologies include anoxic brain injury, antibody-mediated disease, brain tumor, infection, drug or alcohol intoxication/withdrawal, low antiepileptic drug levels or change in antiepileptic drug regimen, metabolic disturbance, stroke, trauma, congenital malformation/remote brain injury, and idiopathic causes. Status epilepticus occurs when there is either excessive excitation or ineffective inhibition of seizures. Increased excitation occurs as a result of increased glutamate or other excitatory amino acids. This chapter provides information on the prevention, prognosis, common pitfalls in diagnosis and management, and treatment algorithms of shock syndromes as well as national society guidelines.