status epilepticus

status /sta·tus/ (sta´tus) [L.] state; particularly used in reference to a morbid condition.

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status asthma´ticus  a particularly severe asthmatic attack that does not respond adequately to usual therapy and may require hospitalization.

complex partial status  status epilepticus consisting of a series of complex partial seizures without return to full consciousness in between.

status epilep´ticus  a continuous series of generalized tonic-clonic seizures, or similar seizures, without return to consciousness between them.

status lympha´ticus , status thymicolympha´ticus hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue and the thymus.

status verruco´sus  a wartlike appearance of the cerebral cortex, produced by disorderly arrangement of the neuroblasts so that the formation of fissures and sulci is irregular and unpredictable.

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status ep·i·lep·ti·cus (p-lpt-ks)

n.

A condition in which one major attack of epilepsy succeeds another with little or no intermission.

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status epilepticus,

a medical emergency characterized by continuous seizures lasting more than 30 minutes without interruption. Status epilepticus can be precipitated by the sudden withdrawal of anticonvulsant drugs, inadequate body levels of glucose, a brain tumor, a head injury, a high fever, or poisoning. Therapy includes IV administration of anticonvulsant drugs, nutrients, and electrolytes. An adequate airway is usually maintained with a nasopharyngeal or endotracheal tube.

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status (stat´us),

n state or condition.

status asthmaticus

n a continual worsening of an asthmatic condition even with the use of medications for therapeutic purposes; may cause life-threatening situations; creates tremendous strain on the respiratory and circulatory systems.

status epilepticus

n a seizure lasting more than 30 minutes, or a series of seizures without pause between them. Patient often does not respond to medication.

status lymphaticus,

n an enlargement of lymphoid tissue, particularly the thymus, in children. It may lead to sudden death under inhalation anesthesia.

status thymicolymphaticus,

n a constitutional disturbance of controversial existence believed to be responsible in some way for sudden and unexplained deaths from trivial causes such as the extraction of teeth. Enlargement of the thymus and lymphoid tissue and underdevelopment of the adrenal glands, gonads, and cardiovascular system are evident.

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status

[L.] condition, state.

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status asthmaticus

asthmatic crisis; a sudden, intense and continuous asthmatic attack with dyspnea, gagging and cyanosis. May be seen in feline bronchial asthma.

status epilepticus

rapid succession of epileptic spasms without intervals of consciousness; brain damage may result.

status spongiosum

see spongy degeneration.

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status epilepticus

Neurology 1. Per the Intl League Against Epilepsy–a seizure that persists for a sufficient length of time or is repeated frequently enough that recovery between attacks does not occur 2. Seizures that persist for 20 to 30 mins, ± a time sufficient to cause injury to CNS neurons 3. Operational definition-either continuous seizures for 5+ mins or 2 or more discrete seizures without complete recovery of consciousness Etiology-acute Metabolic defects–eg, electrolyte imbalances, renal failure, sepsis, CNS infections, strokes, head trauma, drug toxicity, hypoxia Etiology-chronic Preexisting epilepsy where SE is due to breakthrough seizures or discontinuation of antiepileptics; chronic alcohol abuse; or  tumors or stroke Clinical Initially, Pts are unresponsive and have obvious tonic, clonic, or tonic-clonic movements of the extremities; with time, the clinical findings become more subtle, and require EEG confirmation Management Airway control, monitor vitals–temperature, pulse oximetry, monitor cardiac function, measure glucose, administer thiamine and glucose, begin anticonvulsants Management-anticonvulsants Benzodiazepines–eg, lorazepam, et al, if no response–INR → phenytoin or fosphenytoin, INR → repeat phenytoin or fosphenytoin, INR → phenobarbital, INR → repeat phenobarbital, INR → anesthesia with midazolam or profonol, INR, inter Mortality ± 20%. Cf Seizure. Cf Serial seizures.