Complex partial status epilepticus provoked by ingestion of alcohol: a case report

Abstract

A 27-year-old man had a 5-year history of a peculiar state characterized by clouded consciousness provoked by ingestion of alcohol. The episode was identified electroclinically as nonconvulsive status epilepticus and was activated by ingestion of alcohol. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) examination during the nonconvulsive status epilepticus showed increased regional cerebral perfusion in the right frontal region. This finding, along with the EEG expressions, supports a cortical origin of the nonconvulsive status epilepticus and a diagnosis of complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a documented case of CPSE during intoxication provoked by alcohol ingestion and also of a SPECT examination during CPSE.