Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus in Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy is a common complication in chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Here we describe two patients with hepatic encephalopathy who did not respond to standard empiric treatment and were found to have non-convulsive status epilepticus. Both patients improved with antiepileptic therapy. Non-convulsive status epilepticus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with suspected hepatic encephalopathy who do not respond to empiric treatment.

Keywords

• hepatic encephalopathy
• non-convulsive status epilepticus
• electroencephalogram