Oral ketamine controlled refractory nonconvulsive status epilepticus in an elderly patient

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is a heterogeneous disorder with different seizure types and diverse etiologies, and is mainly characterized by altered consciousness. The recognition of NCSE is more challenging than generalized convulsive SE, and diagnosis and treatment are often delayed. Therefore, some cases can evolve into refractory SE and become pharmacoresistant even with GABAergic anesthetics. Herein we report the successful clinical experience of pharmacoresistant complex partial SE treated with ketamine. An elderly woman was profoundly stuporous and had relentless clonic movements of the right hand and forearm. Electroencephalography revealed repetitive periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs). There was a poor clinical response to standard anticonvulsants and GABAergic anesthetics. Both the clinical and electroencephalographic SE were controlled after intravenous ketamine therapy. Rebound refractory NCSE occurred about six days after discontinuing the intravenous ketamine, which was successfully terminated by oral ketamine treatment. There were no adverse effects observed.