Cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis following simple, complex partial, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures

Ann Neurol. 1988 Apr;23(4):402-3. doi: 10.1002/ana.410230418.

Abstract

We observed postictal pleocytosis in 7 of 62 cerebrospinal fluid specimens obtained from 27 patients with epilepsy. Each patient had a known seizure disorder; none had any other cause for the pleocytosis. The maximum number of leukocytes was 12/mm3; the maximum number of erythrocytes was 190/mm3. Postictal pleocytosis was more common in samples obtained within 12 hours of the last seizure. Although previous studies have emphasized that pleocytosis is more common after repetitive generalized tonic-clonic seizures, we found increased leukocyte counts in cerebrospinal fluid after single simple, complex partial, or generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / cytology*
  • Epilepsy / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes / analysis*
  • Middle Aged