42A Adult Seizure Disorder Flashcards
Note incidence of seizures peaks in:
children and in the elderly
What causes adult-onset seizures?
CV disease trauma tumors infections cerebral degeneration
Partial seizures are:
focal onset seizures that emanate from a specific cortical head region
Generalized seizures are:
non-focal and thought to emanate from the brainstem structures –> spread to both hemispheres at the same time
Types of partial seizures?
- simple (consciousness conserved, nml EEG)
2. complex (LOC, abn EEG)
Partial seizures may progress to:
secondarily generalized (LOC + bil cerebral involvement)
Complex partial seizures typically emanate from:
temporal or frontal lobes.
Behavioral features associated with complex partial seizures?
- blank stare
- oral/ipsalat hand automatisms
- contralat dystonic posturing
- amnesia of event
How are absent seizures characterized?
- 10-20s LOC
- staring w/ subtle eyelid flutter
- absence of post-ical confusion
EEG in absent seizures?
generalized 3Hz spike, wave discharges
Typical presentation of tonic-clonic seizure?
- cry, LOC
- musc rigidity
- possibility of falling, tongue biting
- rhythmic jerking
- incontinence
- post-ictal conf/sleep
Typical presentation of myoclonic seizure?
- brief, shock-like musc contr (head/UE)
- bil symm
- consciousness preserved
- ppt by awakening or falling asleep
Myoclonic seizure may progress to…
tonic-clonic
Typical presentation of atonic seizure?
- impaired consciousness
- loss of musc tone
- head drop
- fall
- brief duration
- injury common
EEG abn seen in seizures?
sharp and slow wave discharge w/ phase reversal
