Paradoxical Lateralization of Convulsive Movements in a Subtle Status Epilepticus

미세 간질중첩증에서의 역설적 편측화

Background : Subtle status epilepticus (SE) is an end-stage of convulsive SE. This phenomenon might be a clinical expression of neuronal exhaustion caused by sustained electrical discharges. As subtle SE may show diverse clinical features, early detection depends on clinical suspicion. Case : A 68-year-old woman was presented with repetitive involuntary movement of right limbs after two generalized tonic-clonic seizures. She experienced right middle cerebral artery infarction 4 months ago, and after the event, left side hemiplegia sustained. These seizures were first-ever after the cerebral infarction. Orientation and verbal responses were fairly preserved but general cognitive function was minimally slowed. During the video-EEG monitoring, repetitive sharp waves were noted in the right hemisphere and these sharp waves occasionally spread to the contralateral side. Her right side involuntary movement was identifiable when the epileptic discharges were found on her right hemisphere. Conclusion : We suggested that this unexpected convulsive movement is a reflection of earlier exhaustion in the right hemisphere or deefferentation of right hemisphere because of preexisting neuronal damage.