A 79-year-old woman receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for high-grade lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma developed worsening confusion over 3 days. She became nonverbal and unable to follow commands. MRI of the brain demonstrated global atrophy. EEG showed 2.5- to 3-Hz generalized spike and slow complexes, indicative of nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), which resolved with the administration of lorazepam (figure). IV levetiracetam load was administered for maintenance therapy. The patient was able to answer simple questions the next morning and returned to baseline 3 days later with optimization of antiseizure medications. CAR-T–induced neurotoxicity can present with multiple neurologic manifestations including sometimes intractable seizures.1 It is imperative to consider CAR-T–induced NCSE as a complication that is potentially reversible.2
(A) EEG depicts nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) characterized by high voltage generalized spike/polyspike slow wave discharges at 2.5–3 Hz. (B) Resolution of NCSE pattern after administration of lorazepam, followed by levetiracetam.
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