1: Epilepsy Flashcards
Why might a tonic-clonic seizure begin with a cry?
It is the result air moving across the glottis from sudden tonic muscle contraction.
In this type of seizure there is a loss of consciousness.
Complex partial
Another name for this type of seizure is grand mal.
Tonic–clonic
Which seizure?
Typically begin in childhood. Often noticed first by teachers. The patient may or may not be aware that a seizure has occurred.
Absence
Abnormal focal or generalized neuronal discharge, often with physical manifestations.
Seizure
Is epilepsy more common in males or females?
Males
In this type of seizure only one part of the brain is seizing, though it can spread to involve the entire brain.
Partial
Seizures occur when neurons discharge _____ and _____.
Seizures occur when neurons discharge spontaneously and synchronously.
What type of seizure?
Patients may need to wear protective headgear.
Atonic
In this type of seizure the entire brain is seizing at the same time. It may or may not be convulsive.
Generalized
What type of seizure?
Most dramatic and most common generalized epilepsy.
Tonic-clonic
Common causes of seizures in adults over the age of 35 (5).
Cerebrovascular Disease
Brain Tumors
Alcohol Withdrawal
Metabolic Disorders (electrolyte disturbances)
Idiopathic Epilepsy (usually develops in those younger than 35).
What type of seizure?
Most likely to cause an injury.
Atonic
What type of seizure?
Loss of consciousness may occur, but it is difficult to tell due to the extremely brief duration.
Myoclonic
This type of seizure has stiffening and jerking.
Tonic-clonic
Tonic (stiffening)
Clonic (jerking)
What type of seizure?
May seem alert and responsive but are actually not. May pick at clothing or smack lips.
Complex partial
Common causes of seizures in young adults 18 to 35 years old (5).
Trauma Alcohol Withdrawal Illicit Drug Use Brain Tumors Idiopathic Epilepsy (Same as 12-18 yo, just no infections)
Stages of seizures:
During the seizure.
Ictal
What is the most common cause of adult epilepsy in developING countries?
Neurocysticercosis (parasitic dz)
T/F Most epilepsy is idiopathic.
True for children. In childhood most epilepsy is idiopathic.
False for adults. In adults most are secondary to identifiable causes.
What auras can happen with simple partial seizures (4)?
Deja vu
Abdominal sensations
Metallic taste in mouth
Tingling in various areas
Epilepsy that is suspected to be symptomatic but no lesion is present on MRI.
Cryptogenic Epilepsy
In this type of seizure consciousness is maintained.
Simple partial
What type of seizure?
Associated with hypothalamic hamartoma.
Gelastic (type of simple partial)
This type of seizure has a loss of muscle tone. It can involve drop attacks.
Atonic
What is the most common cause of adult epilepsy in developED countries?
Stroke
Stages of seizures:
Before the seizure.
Preictal
Is epilepsy more common with an embolic stroke or a hemorrhagic stroke?
Embolic stroke
When do myoclonic seizures most commonly occur?
Just after awakening in the morning or from a nap
This type of seizure has twitching or jerking.
Myoclonic
What type of seizure?
Will be nonsensical while engaged in conversation.
Complex partial
Epilepsy with an identifiable cause.
Symptomatic Epilepsy
Which seizure has no postictal period?
Absence
Why might you have convulsive movements with syncope?
Due to sustained decreased cerebral perfusion. This is especially true if the patient remains upright after losing consciousness.
This type of seizure has a brief lapse of consciousness.
Absence (petit mal)
During what seizure stage might a patient become psychotic or agitated?
Postictal (after)
What type of seizure?
Brief episodes of sudden motor contraction that often has flexion of upper extremities that appears as a muscle.
Myoclonic
T/F Rhythmic jerking during the clonic phase slows down as the seizure comes to an end.
True
Prevalence of epilepsy is much higher in _____ countries for all age groups.
Prevalence of epilepsy is much higher in less developed countries for all age groups.
Common causes of seizures in children 12-18 years old. (6)
Trauma Genetic disorders Infections Brain tumors Illicit drug use Idiopathic Epilepsy
What type of seizure?
Burst of uncontrollable laughter not associated with anything funny.
Gelastic
Is this a general or partial seizure? Tonic-clonic Complex Absence Simple Myoclonic Atonic
Tonic-clonic: General Complex: Partial Absence: General Simple: Partial Myoclonic: General Atonic: General
Common causes of seizures in children up to 12 months old (5).
Febrile seizures CNS infx Trauma Genetic disorders Idiopathic epilepsy
Epilepsy with an unknown cause.
Idiopathic Epilepsy
Stages of seizures:
After the seizure.
Postictal
Infantile spasms are an example of what type of epilepsy?
Cryptogenic
During what seizure stage might a patient have behavioral changes?
Preictal (before)
Common causes of seizures in neonates (<1 month old) (7).
Perinatal hypoxia and ischemia
Intracranial hemorrhage and trauma
Acute CNS infection; e.g., meningitis or encephalitis
Metabolic disturbances; e.g., hypoglycemia or hypocalcemia
Drug withdrawal
Developmental disorders
Genetic disorders
Stages of seizures:
Between seizures.
Interictal
What are the two classifications of seizures?
Generalized
Partial
When is epilepsy diagnosed?
After 2 or more unprovoked seizures.
