Resolution of Refractory Status Epilepticus With Ketamine Without Intubation in a Patient With Stroke-Like Migraine Attacks After Radiation Therapy (SMART) Syndrome.
Case reports in neurological medicine – January 01, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
A breakthrough in treating severe seizures: Ketamine successfully halted persistent seizures in a radiation therapy patient without requiring invasive breathing support. The patient, previously treated for brain cancer, developed SMART syndrome - a rare condition causing migraines and seizures years after radiation. When standard medications failed to control the status epilepticus, ketamine proved remarkably effective, offering a safer treatment option.
Abstract
Stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy (SMART) syndrome is an infrequently reported complication arising years after radiation therapy that manifests as a reversible syndrome marked by migraine-like headaches, focal neurologic signs, and/or seizures. Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) associated with SMART syndrome is rare and can be challenging to treat. Valproic acid has been reported to improve seizures in RSE in SMART syndrome in a few case reports and may be ideal for SMART syndrome, given its use in the treatment of migraines and seizures. Ketamine has been used in RSE and a few instances in SMART syndrome. Here, we present a case of refractory focal status epilepticus in a patient with SMART syndrome who was treated with ketamine, which resolved seizures without the need for intubation.