Ann Clin Neurophysiol.  2018 Jul;20(2):97-100. 10.14253/acn.2018.20.2.97.

Cefepime-induced nonconvulsive status epilepticus in a hemodialysis patient

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea. parkbong31@naver.com
  • 2Department of Neurology, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.

Abstract

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is an unusual complication in patients treated with cefepime. An 82-year-old woman on maintenance hemodialysis was given cefepime for pneumonia. Her level of consciousness decreased since the administration of cefepime, and she was diagnosed with NCSE based on electroencephalography (EEG) findings. After discontinuation of cefepime, improvement was seen both in the level of consciousness and EEG findings. Clinicians should be aware of cefepime-induced NCSE, particularly in patients with renal failure.

Keyword

Cefepime; Status epilepticus; Hemodialysis

MeSH Terms

Aged, 80 and over
Consciousness
Electroencephalography
Female
Humans
Pneumonia
Renal Dialysis*
Renal Insufficiency
Status Epilepticus*

Figure

  • Fig. 1 A brain magnetic resonance image revealed no structural lesions associated with the decreased consciousness.

  • Fig. 2 There were continuously generalized 2 Hz periodic epileptiform discharges. LOG, left oculogram; ROG, right oculogram; EKG, electrocardiogram.

  • Fig. 3 The background consisted of theta and delta rhythms which were symmetrically distributed without epileptiform features. LOG, left oculogram; ROG, right oculogram; EKG, electrocardiogram.


Reference

1. Delanty N, Vaughan CJ, French JA. Medical causes of seizures. Lancet. 1998; 352:383–390.
Article
2. Hirsch LJ, Gaspard N. Status epilepticus. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2013; 19:767–794.
Article
3. Fernández-Torre JL, Martínez-Martínez M, González-Rato J, Maestro I, Alonso I, Rodrigo E, et al. Cephalosporin-induced nonconvulsive status epilepticus: clinical and electroencephalographic features. Epilepsia. 2005; 46:1550–1552.
Article
4. Fugate JE, Kalimullah EA, Hocker SE, Clark SL, Wijdicks EF, Rabinstein AA. Cefepime neurotoxicity in the intensive care unit: a cause of severe, underappreciated encephalopathy. Crit Care. 2013; 17:R264.
Article
5. Dakdouki GK, Al-Awar GN. Cefepime-induced encephalopathy. Int J Infect Dis. 2004; 8:59–61.
Article
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FDA Drug Safety Communication: cefepime and risk of seizure in patients not receiving dosage adjustments for kidney impairment [Internet]. Rockville (MD, USA): FDA;c2016. accessed 2016 Jan 19. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm309661.htm.
7. Sugimoto M, Uchida I, Mashimo T, Yamazaki S, Hatano K, Ikeda F, et al. Evidence for the involvement of GABA(A) receptor blockade in convulsions induced by cephalosporins. Neuropharmacology. 2003; 45:304–314.
Article
8. Schliamser SE. Neurotoxicity of beta-lactam antibiotics. Experimental kinetic and neurophysiological studies. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl. 1988; 55:1–61.
Full Text Links
  • ACN
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr