ECT in the treatment of status epilepticus

Abstract

Introduction: Owing to its potent anticonvulsant actions, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been proposed as an intervention for treatment-resistant seizure disorders.

Method: We review the literature on the use of ECT in treatment-resistant epilepsy and status epilepticus (SE) and present a case of a patient who was in nonconvulsive SE for 26 days and then treated with ECT after all standard pharmacological strategies were exhausted. Because of skull defects, a novel electrode placement was used.

Results: Owing to massively elevated seizure threshold attributable to concomitant anticonvulsant medications, extraordinarily high electrical dosage was needed for ECT to elicit generalized seizures. Status was terminated after three successful ECT-induced seizures. However, the long-term functional outcome of the patient was poor.

Discussion: The role of ECT in the treatment algorithm for SE is discussed.