Clinical, electrophysiological and brain imaging features during recurrent ictal cortical blindness associated with chronic liver failure

Acta Neurol Belg. 2006 Dec;106(4):215-8.

Abstract

Transient neuroimaging features indicating primary cortical and secondary subcortical white matter cytotoxic oedema have been described in association with prolonged or intense seizures. We describe the unusual condition of recurrent ictal cortical blindness due to focal occipital status epilepticus, in the context of chronic hepatic failure. There was a close association between the onset and disappearance of clinical, electrophysiological and magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Blindness, Cortical / drug therapy
  • Blindness, Cortical / etiology*
  • Blindness, Cortical / physiopathology
  • Brain Edema / drug therapy
  • Brain Edema / etiology
  • Brain Edema / physiopathology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Electroencephalography
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / complications*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Liver Failure / complications*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence
  • Status Epilepticus / complications*
  • Status Epilepticus / drug therapy
  • Status Epilepticus / physiopathology
  • Visual Cortex / drug effects
  • Visual Cortex / physiopathology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants