Epilepsy

Question 1

Which seizure would cause an infant in bed to be staring at the onset of attack before going unresponsive while having movement of upper and lower limbs?

Answer 1

Generalised tonic-clonic seizure

Question 2

What would lead to a patient getting a CT scan in the acute setting?

Answer 2

• Deteriorating GCS
• Clinical or radiological skull fracture
• Suggestion of SAH
• Focal signs

Question 3

What is the cause of an epileptic seizure?

Answer 3

Abnormal synchronisation of neuronal activity

Question 4

Which generalised seizure almost always occurs in children?

Answer 4

Atonic seizures

Question 5

What lobe is affected if there is:

1. Sensory
2. Psychic
3. Motor disturbances?

Answer 5

1. Parietal
2. Temporal
3. Frontal

Question 6

What type of epilepsy presents with a spike-wave abnormality on EEG?

Answer 6

Generalised epilepsy (tonic clonic, absence, myoclonic, clonic, tonic and atonic)

Question 7

What is the treatment of choice for primary generalised epilepsy presenting in childhood?

Answer 7

Sodium valproate

- Lamotrigine is an alternative

Question 8

A teen presents complaining of early morning jerks and generalized seizures, what is the likely epilepsy?

Answer 8

Juvenile Myoclonic epilepsy

Question 9

What is the treatment of choice for focal onset epilepsy?

Answer 9

Carbamazepine

- Lamotrigine as an alternative

Question 10

What is a main risk about anti-convulsant use in females?

Answer 10

Some can induce hepatic enzymes and lead to altered efficacy of the combined oral contraceptive pill