What's on this Page
What is epilepsia partialis continua?
Epilepsia partialis continua is simple partial motor status epilepticus, which consists of rhythmic contractions of a restricted region of the body, usually the face and hand or fingers.
The patient is usually fully conscious during these seizures.
What are the most common causes?
The most common causes include
- nonketotic hyperglycemic states
- cerebral infarction
- encephalitis (particularly Rasmussen’s encephalitis)
- cerebral neoplasms.
How is it treated?
Treatment is directed at correcting metabolic abnormalities when present.
Antiepileptics are used, but epilepsia partialis continua may be resistant to drug therapy short of anesthesia.
In extreme cases, epilepsy surgery is considered.
