Recurrent status epilepticus as the main feature of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy

Abstract

Hashimoto’s encephalopathy (HE) is a severe but treatable condition that rarely complicates Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Clinically it is characterized by progressive or relapsing symptoms, including tremor, myoclonus, stroke-like episodes, seizures, impairment of consciousness, and dementia. We describe a patient presenting with recurrent generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE), despite antiepileptic medications, who was successfully treated with methylprednisolone. Our observation confirms that the clinical spectrum of HE at presentation is heterogeneous and diagnosis is often difficult. This case highlights the crucial importance of antithyroid antibody measurement in patients presenting with otherwise unexplained episodes of GCSE with or without adjunctive signs of encephalopathy or thyroiditis.