Classification of status epilepticus

Classification of status epilepticus (SE)

SE can be divided according to semiology, duration and underlying aetiology (1).

The most commonly used is the semiologic classification

• convulsive status epilepticus (CSE)
  • generalized convulsive SE (GCSE) - the most common type of SE
• nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE)
  • absence SE
  • simple partial SE (SPSE)
  • complex partial SE (CPSE)
  • subtle SE (2)
    
    
• refractory SE (RSE) (1,2,3)

Note:

• it is important to remember that GCSE and NCSE may be part of a continuum since there is a possibility that persistent or partially treated GCSE may evolve in to NCSE (4)

Reference:

• (1) Manno EM. Status epilepticus. Current treatment stratergies. The Neurohospitalist  2011;1(1):23-31
• (2) Holtkamp M, Meierkord H. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the intensive care setting. Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2011;4(3):169-81.
• (3) Brophy GM et al. Guidelines for the evaluation and management of status epilepticus. Neurocrit Care. 2012;17(1):3-23.
• (4) Rabinstein AA. Management of status epilepticus in adults. Neurol Clin. 2010;28(4):853-62