Five cases of new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) syndrome: outcomes with early immunotherapy.

Abstract

Cryptogenic new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) syndrome has been described in both adults and children, and is often associated with poor outcome. A variety of terms have been used in the literature to refer to this syndrome. The condition may be triggered by as yet unidentified infections or an immunological mechanism. We present a series of 5 patients with NORSE syndrome treated at 2 neuroscience centres in the North of England, in whom early use of immunotherapy appears to be associated with good neurological outcomes.