Generalized nonconvulsive status epilepticus in symptomatic partial epilepsy.

A 6-year-old male with cortical dysplasia who developed secondarily generalized nonconvulsive status epilepticus is reported. He had partial epilepsy since the age of 10 months. On electroencephalography, almost continuous left frontocentral/anterior temporal spikes were observed at 3 years of age, which lasted until 6 years of age, when he developed nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus lasted for more than 7 days. Electroencephalography during nonconvulsive status epilepticus documented almost continuous generalized polyspike-wave complexes suggestive of generalized nonconvulsive status epilepticus. On magnetic resonance imaging, abnormal gyration was observed in the left frontal lobe. Histopathologic analysis of the resected left frontal lobe revealed cortical dysplasia. The present case demonstrates that continuous focal epileptiform discharges caused by cortical dysplasia in the frontal lobe can develop into secondarily generalized nonconvulsive status epilepticus.