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Severe lactic acidosis following alcohol related generalised seizures.

Hulme J, Sherwood N

Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham, B18 7QH, UK. jonhulme@doctors.org.uk

A 45-year-old alcoholic man presented following several short grand-mal seizures. He was not known to be epileptic. Initial investigations demonstrated a severe lactic acidosis. The rise in lactate was one of the highest levels reported in similar patients. The patient recovered within 4 h of management with oxygen, fluids and sodium bicarbonate. Lactic acidosis following convulsions is often associated with spontaneous resolution and a favourable outcome.

Published 19 November 2004 in Anaesthesia, 59(12): 1228-30.
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