Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

Case Report

Efficacy of potassium bromide in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy: a case of new-onset refractory status epilepticus

Jun Takei, M.D.1)2), Ran Takei, M.D.1), Satoshi Nozuma, M.D., Ph.D.1), Keiichi Nakahara, M.D.1), Osamu Watanabe, M.D., Ph.D.2) and Hiroshi Takashima, M.D., Ph.D.2)

1)Department of Neurology, Kohshinkai Ogura Hospital
2)Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences

A 40-year-old man presented with a series of generalized tonic-clonic seizures after febrile illness. He developed status epilepticus and required mechanical ventilation with anesthetics. Steroid pulse, intravenous immunoglobulin, and immunoadsorption therapy were administrated, and the status epilepticus improved; however, drug-resistant seizures remained. Despite the use of several antiepileptic drugs, seizures frequently occurred. Additional administration of potassium bromide resulted in significant suppression of seizures. Potassium bromide is regarded as an effective medication for pediatric refractory epilepsy after encephalitis. The present case is considered to be new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) syndrome based on clinical features, and potassium bromide could be effective in treating adult refractory epilepsy, such as NORSE syndrome.
Full Text of this Article in Japanese PDF (760K)

(CLINICA NEUROL, 56: 759|763, 2016)
key words: new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) syndrome, autoimmune encephalitis, status epilepticus, refractory epilepsy, potassium bromide

(Received: 2-Jul-16)