Treatment of status epilepticus with plasmapheresis in a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a syndrome with numerous neurological manifestations including altered mental status and seizures [1-3]. However, status epilepticus (SE) has rarely been reported in this condition [4]. Signs may be transient or fluctuate; however, permanent deficits do occur [5]. Its prognosis was once considered uniformly poor, with a high mortality rate [4,6]. Since the introduction of plasma infusions and exchanges, the prognosis of the disease has improved dramatically: remissions now occur in 80-90% of patients [4]. Altered mental status in UP often resolves with plasmapheresis [5]. Likewise, we successfully treated a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) with pronounced clinical effects of status epilepticus with plasmapheresis and steroid treatment. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.