Resolution of cryptogenic new onset refractory status epilepticus with tocilizumab

Abstract

New onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) was defined by the International League Against Epilepsy as occurring in patients presenting without a prior diagnosis of epilepsy or other neurological disease, with seizures that persist beyond 24 h. There is still a need to develop new treatment strategies for NORSE, particularly for those patients who are least responsive to conventional medical therapies. We present a case of a young female patient without any medical history presenting with status epilepticus, which was refractory not only to anti-seizure medications and anesthetics, but also to conventional immunomodulatory therapies. After nine weeks of electroclinical seizure activity, the patient responded to two doses of tocilizumab.

Keywords

• Status epilepticus
• Refractory
• Interleukin-6
• Tocilizumab