Open Access
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · International Journal of Epilepsy 2025; 11(S 02): S1-S56
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1813052
Platform Presentations

Clinical Spectrum of Epilepsia Partialis Continua and Predictors of Outcome

Authors

  • Anuja Patil

    1   Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Hospitals Group, Secunderabad, Telangana State, India

  • Sita Jayalakshmi

    1   Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Hospitals Group, Secunderabad, Telangana State, India
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Introduction: Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC), also known as focal status epilepticus, is characterized by repetitive, prolonged (>1 hour or often days to weeks or longer) focal motor seizures with preserved consciousness.

Methods: Clinical details of 56 cases that presented with EPC between 2015 and 2024 were analyzed for predictors of remission. Solitary EPC episode was seen in 24 with a mean age of 51.58 (24–87) years, 10 (41.6%) females. Chronic EPC was seen in 32, with a mean age of 14.33 (1–60) years, 18 (56.2%) females with a mean duration of 27.7 months (2 weeks to 30 years). Over a mean follow-up of 25.5 (6–84) months, remission rates were analyzed.

Results: A single episode of EPC was noted among 24, of which 13 had known lesional epilepsy. Among the symptomatic cases, three had hyperglycemia, four had an infective etiology, one had a cerebral metastatic lesion, and three had an acute infarct. Chronic repetitive episodes were seen in nine cases (Gliosis-3, AIE-1, MCD-5). While a chronic persistent course was seen among 16 cases (MELAS-2, AIE-3, Rasmussen’s encephalitis: 2, gliosis-3, MCD-5: [FCD 4, Sturge-Weber syndrome 1]; low-grade glioma-1). Chronic progressive course suggestive of Rasmussen’s encephalitis was seen among seven cases presenting at a mean of 35.5 months of onset; only one underwent surgery and resolved. The other six were managed on immunotherapy due to late age, lack of profound motor deficits, and had persistent EPC. Among the single-episode group, 21 underwent remission, although 54% had cognitive deficits, 4 had persistent weakness, and 1 succumbed to systemic complications. In the chronic group, 15 achieved remissions at a mean duration of 17 months after presentation (1 week to 82 months) (10 with optimal ASM, 5 surgically).

Conclusion: Focal lesions, known epilepsy, and short duration showed higher rates of remission. Among non-Rasmussen’s chronic EPC, optimal antiseizure treatment could achieve sustained remission.


No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
24 October 2025

© 2025. Indian Epilepsy Society. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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