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Proceeding from the proposed classification of status epilepticus syndromes by Shorvon in 1994, we performed a systematic search for reports presenting electroencephalography ( EEG) patterns of nonconvulsive status epilepticus ( NCSE) on all syndromes in the classification, where possible. Using the online medical search engine Pub Med for 22 different search strategies, EEG patterns supporting a diagnosis of NCSE were sought. From a total of 4,328 search results, 123 cases with corresponding EEG patterns could be allocated to underlying epilepsy syndromes. Based on the characteristic EEG patterns found for the different NCSE syndromes, we present a synthesis of the significant EEG morphologies and evolutions in the individual NCSE syndromes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium therapy can cause a confusional state by direct toxicity, precipitation of nonconvulsive status epilepticus, or by interplay with other neuroleptic medications to produce neuroleptic malignant syndrome or serotonin syndrome. These conditions resemble each other clinically, but EEG may help differentiate among them. We reviewed the EEG patterns with triphasic waves or rhythmic delta activity in lithium toxic patients and discuss clinical and EEG differentiation among syndromes. Lithium toxicity poses significant diagnostic challenges from EEG and clinical perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of nonconvulsive status epilepticus ( NCSE) relies largely on electroencephalography ( EEG) findings. The lack of a unified EEG terminology, and of evidence-based EEG criteria, leads to varying criteria for and ability to diagnose NCSE. We propose a unified terminology and classification system for NCSE, using, as a template, the Standardised Computer-based Organised Reporting of EEG ( SCORE). This approach integrates the terminology recently proposed for the rhythmic and periodic patterns in critically ill patients, the electroclinical classification of NCSE (type of NCSE) and the context for the pathologic conditions and age-related epilepsy syndromes. We propose flexible EEG criteria that employ the SCORE system to assemble a database for determining evidence-based EEG criteria for NCSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]