Aphasic status epilepticus.

We studied a case of focal status epilepticus with aphasia as the sole manifestation, lasting 21 days. A 77-year-old woman developed aphasic seizures followed by aphasic status epilepticus 10 months after a left temporo-occipital hemorrhage. The diagnosis was made only after EEG, and seizures were stopped by anticonvulsant medication. Aphasic status epilepticus may be only a reflection of cerebral irritability, suggesting the possibility of a functional etiology for prolonged language disorders also in adults.