Interest of the ketogenic:: diet in a refractory status epilepticus in adults

Introduction. - Ketogenic diets have been employed for the treatment of intractable epilepsiy in children since 1921, although underlying mechanism remains unknown. Observation. - We report the case of a 54-year-old man with partial refractory status epilepticus who exhibited a favourable outcome about seven days after introduction of a ketogenic diet in association with antiepileptic drugs. Discussion. - Although its efficiency was largely demonstrated in children, little is known about the impact of a ketogenic diet in adults with refractory epilepsy. Conclusion. - Introduction of a ketogenic diet requires a multidisciplinary approach. Its usefulness in adult intractable epilepsy and/or refractory status epilepticus merits further study into its efficacy in reducing the frequency of seizures and a possible prolonged effect. (c) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.