Refractory status epilepticus during pregnancy secondary to cavernous angioma

Epilepsia. 2008 Sep;49(9):1627-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01639.x. Epub 2008 May 6.

Abstract

First-time seizure and status epilepticus during pregnancy have been previously reported as the initial manifestation of intracranial cavernous hemangioma. We report a woman with no history of seizures who presented with refractory status epilepticus at 10 weeks gestation. Cranial MRI revealed a right frontal cavernous hemangioma. The seizures remained refractory to conventional anticonvulsant medications and 48 h of general anesthetic. Termination of the pregnancy resulted in almost immediate resolution of the seizures. The dramatic response of the seizures to termination of the pregnancy suggests that hormonal factors were primarily responsible for the precipitous presentation in this patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced
  • Abortion, Therapeutic
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous / complications*
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous / pathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Phenytoin / therapeutic use*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Refractory Period, Electrophysiological
  • Status Epilepticus / diagnosis*
  • Status Epilepticus / drug therapy
  • Status Epilepticus / etiology*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Phenytoin