Untreated Absence Seizures Leads to Sudden Death

Case Overview

This was a reoccurring issue as described by the patient that seemed to last about 30 seconds each time. The patient underwent several imaging studies of her brain that showed the normal appearance of brain structures. The physician gave the patient a long-term monitor. Later, a neurologist reviewed the EEGs on the monitor. The doctor found distinct sharp waves and made a diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy but did not prescribe any medication at this visit, with a follow-up planned for a month later. The patient passed away two weeks after the last visit to the neurologist.

Questions to the Neurology expert and their responses

What treatments should a patient receive once they are diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy?

In general, once the diagnosis of epilepsy is made, i.e. recurrent unprovoked seizures, treatment should be initiated immediately. Depending on seizure frequency and severity, the chosen agent and aggressiveness of the titration can be quite variable. If it appears that the death was SUDEP, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, then treatment certainly may have prevented the occurrence.

About the expert

This qualified, board certified neurologist has received his medical training at among the nation's top ten medical institutions and has authored a vast body of medical literature in his field. His current appointments include high ranking medical directorships at a major medical university and clinical staff position at an affiliated hospital center. He is the current head of an epilepsy center at his institution, has published extensively on the topic of epilepsy, and is a former board member of the Epilepsy Foundation of America.