Epilepsy Flashcards
Define epilepsy.
Define the following terms:
1. seizure
2. status epilepticus
3. epilepsy
What are the risk factors for recurrence of seizures?
What’s the prevalence of epilepsy?
0.5 - 1%
Seizures can be categorised into provoked and epileptic seizures. What are the causes of a provoked seizure?
Seizures can be categorised into provoked and epileptic seizures. What are the causes of an epileptic seizure?
List all the causes of seizures.
What are common auras of epileptic seizures?
olfactory (bad smell)
gustatory (metallic taste)
deja vu
flashing lights
sweating and incontinence
A common aura of an epileptic seizure is a metallic taste. What medication can also cause a metallic taste?
Metronidazole
How would you classify the types of epileptic seizures? Describe the. classifications.
Or generalised - seizure begins in both hemispheres simultaneously leading to impaired consciousness, with NO aura.
List and describe the features of types of generalised seizures.
What are some ddx for a seizure?
Outline how you would take a history from a patient post-seizure. (What questions are you going to ask?)
How is epilepsy diagnosed?
What % of patients with epilepsy have an abnormal EEG? What is this abnormal eeg pattern called?
20%
epileptiform foci
What are the complications of a seizure?
You have ordered all the standard blood test needed to investigate a post-seizure patient. What abnormalities might you expect to find?
Outline and justify the blood investigations for a seizure.
What are the components of a comprehensive metabolic panel?
Outline and justify ALL the supportive investigations for a seizure.
What do these EEGs show?
Normal EEG compared to EEG including a seizure: (A) Normal EEG of 15 seconds; (B) EEG of the same patient having an epileptic seizure visible as rhythmic/ epileptiform activity starting on electrodes P8 and T8.
Key Features of Epileptiform EEG Activity:
1. Sharp Waves: High-amplitude, sharp waveforms (70–200 ms) often followed by a slow wave.
2. Spike Waves: Transient, high-amplitude discharges (<70 ms), commonly linked to epilepsy.
3. Spike-and-Wave Complexes: Alternating spikes and slow waves, characteristic of absence seizures (e.g., 3 Hz).
4. Polyspike Discharges: Clusters of rapid spikes, seen in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
5. Paroxysmal Rhythmic Activity: Transient rhythmic patterns (e.g., delta waves in focal seizures).
What do these EEGs show?
Normal EEG compared to EEG including a seizure: (A) Normal EEG of 15 seconds; (B) EEG of absence seizure
Outline the acute management of status epilepticus.
What is the aim or chronic seizure management?
Outline the chronic non-pharmacological management of a seizure.
What are medications involved in the chronic management of epilepsy?
levetiracetam
sodium valproate
lamotrigine
carbamazepine
topiramate
State the indication for use and SEs of the following drugs: (include contraindications if applicable)
1. levetiracetam
State the indication for use, MOA and SEs of the following drugs: (include contraindications if applicable)
1. sodium valproate
What is Steven Johnson syndrome?
State the indication for use and SEs of the following drugs: (include contraindications if applicable)
1. lamotrigine
State the indication for use and SEs of the following drugs: (include contraindications if applicable)
1. carbamazepine
State the indication for use and SEs of the following drugs: (include contraindications if applicable)
1. topiramate
Describe the MOA of carbamazepine, lamotrigine and topiramate.
** carbamazepine, lamotrigine and topiramate (3,4,5 respectively)
