Generalized Convulsive Status Epilepticus

Abstract

Generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is the most clinically dramatic and medically dangerous form of status epilepticus (SE). GCSE is characterized either by continuous bilateral convulsive activity or by generalized convulsive seizures that recur without significant recovery between them. Although GCSE can in fact begin with a single partial seizure or partial SE, and although the visible convulsive activity normally decreases in intensity and frequency with time, the cardinal feature of GCSE remains the widespread clonic movements of the extremities. In simplified classification schemes of SE, GCSE is usually contrasted with non-convulsive SE and with partial or focal SE (,).