SUBCLINICAL STATUS EPILEPTICUS IN A CHILD AFTER CLOSED-HEAD INJURY

A 14-year-old girl with closed head injury and a normal computerized t omographic scan underwent an electroencephalographic tracing that surp risingly revealed typical status epilepticus electrical activity, No e pisodes of motor clinical convulsion were observed from the moment of trauma throughout the admission period, Treatment with phenytoin cause d a dramatic clinical improvement. Repeated electroencephalogram (EEG) 4 days later was within normal limits. Posttraumatic seizures reporte d after head injury, yet, the issue of ''invisible'' or ''subclinical' ' seizures associated with trauma is not discussed, In these cases EEG , (an uncommon examination in the early period after head injury) may be the only tool for proper diagnosis and treatment with anticonvulsan ts. This case report raises the question of the role of EEG in the unc onscious patient who does not present with obvious convulsions, Clinic al indications for performing EEG after head trauma without seizures a re discussed.