Nonconvulsive status epilepticus in a patient with leptomeningeal cancer.

A 56-year-old man sought medical assistance because of recurrent nonconvulsive status epilepticus without a history of prior seizure activity. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid disclosed leptomeningeal cancer. To our knowledge, the association of partial complex status epilepticus and leptomeningeal cancer has not been reported previously. If the results of computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging studies are normal, examination of cerebrospinal fluid should be considered in patients with nonconvulsive status epilepticus.