status epilepticus
Pronunciation: STAT-us ep-ih-LEP-tih-kus
A neurological emergency involving prolonged or repeated seizures without return to normal consciousness between episodes.
Full Definition
Status epilepticus is a life-threatening neurological emergency defined as continuous seizure activity lasting 5 minutes or longer, or recurrent seizures without recovery of consciousness between episodes. The condition can be convulsive (with obvious motor manifestations) or non-convulsive (subtle or absent motor signs), with both forms capable of causing permanent neurological damage. Prompt recognition and treatment are critical, as prolonged seizure activity can lead to cerebral hypoxia, metabolic derangements, and increased mortality. First-line treatment typically involves benzodiazepines followed by antiepileptic drugs, with potential progression to general anesthesia for refractory cases.
Usage
Usage note: Italicize as Latin term in formal writing; specify convulsive vs. non-convulsive type when documenting.
In Context
- "The patient was admitted to the ICU for management of refractory status epilepticus requiring continuous EEG monitoring." — Critical care documentation
- "Non-convulsive status epilepticus was diagnosed based on continuous epileptiform activity on electroencephalogram." — Neurophysiology report