Status Epilepticus: Diagnosis & Tests

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You are here : 3-RX.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diseases and Conditions > Status Epilepticus: Diagnosis & Tests
Category : Health Centers > Brain and Nervous System

Status Epilepticus

Status Epilepticus | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring

How is the condition diagnosed?

The healthcare provider can diagnose some attacks of status epilepticus by observing the person. This is especially true for generalized convulsive status epilepticus. Other cases are more difficult to diagnose, such as nonconvulsive status epilepticus. A variety of laboratory and other special tests aid in the diagnosis.

Emergency treatment will continue while these tests are being done:

blood tests and drug screening tests to detect drug toxicity or withdrawal

arterial blood gases help determine acid-base imbalances and monitor the level of oxygen in the blood

cranial CT scan or cranial MRI to detect brain tumors or bleeding

electroencephalogram, or EEG, to measure changes in the electrical activity in the brain

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Status Epilepticus: Symptoms & Signs		Status Epilepticus: Prevention & Expectations

Author: Eric Berlin, MD
Reviewer: Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Reviewed: 07/01/01

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