Post-ictal fever: a rare symptom of partial seizures

Authors: Rossetti, A. O.; Tosi, C.¹; Despland, P.-A.²; Staedler, C.¹

Source: European Journal of Neurology, Volume 14, Number 5, May 2007 , pp. 586-590(5)

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Abstract:

Although fever may induce seizures, especially in children, its occurrence following epileptic spells has been rarely described, except from generalized convulsive status epilepticus. We present two patients suffering from focal seizures accompanied by episodes of post-ictal fever, and review similar reports in the literature of the last 40 years. Temperature changes following non-convulsive seizures might be induced by gene upregulation occurring in the hypothalamus, the nucleus tractus solitarius, or in other brain regions, producing a local inflammatory response. Direct propagation of electrical discharges seems less consistent with the timing of development of this symptom. Heterogeneity of reported clinical features argues against the assumption of a definite localizing or lateralizing value for post-ictal fever.

Keywords: partial seizures; pathophysiology; post-ictal fever

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-1331.2007.01724.x

Affiliations: 1: Servizio Cantonale di Neurologia, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano 2: Service de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitarie Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland

Publication date: 2007-05-01