Recurrent alcohol-induced seizures in a patient with chronic alcohol abuse.

Seizures related to alcohol are a common finding, and are usually attributed to alcohol withdrawal, or to a neurotoxic effect of ethanol leading to seizures that are unrelated to acute alcohol consumption or withdrawal. However, there is also evidence for a third kind of alcohol-related seizure: alcohol-induced seizures. We describe a 36-year-old patient who, during the years from 1996-2006, was admitted 27 times with alcohol-induced seizures that occurred during alcohol consumption. Excluding one documented withdrawal seizure, serum ethanol levels at admission were 3.24 +/- 0.67%. There were no seizures that were unrelated to alcohol consumption. This case report supports the evidence of a seizure-provoking effect of ethanol that should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with alcohol-dependency and seizures.