Ketotic hyperglycemia and epilepsia partialis continua

Abstract

Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) may occur during nonketotic hyperglycemia but has not been described with diabetic ketoacidosis. The authors report a patient with EPC associated with ketotic hyperglycemia. Brain MRI showed two areas of abnormal signal intensity in the left precentral gyrus and in the right cerebellar hemisphere. Hyperglycemia may reduce seizure threshold because of the increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid metabolism and may trigger epileptic discharges.