Epilepsy Flashcards
A group of somewhat diverse, age-dependent phenotypes that are characterised by generalized 2.5-4 Hz bifrontally predominant spikes or polyspike-and-slow-wave discharges that arise without underlying structural abnormalities.
Primary Generalized Epilepsy
Clinical states that simulate generalized tonic-clonic seizure
psychogenic episodes, vasodepressor syncope, basilar artery occlusion, fainting lark
Absence seizures are said to be “typical” if they have the following characteristics?
rapid onset and offset, typical three per second spike and wave, complete loss of awareness
This is the most common form of idiopathic generalized epilepsy in older children and young adults
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
Somatosensory seizures
postcentral convolution of the parietal lobe
Olfactory hallucinations
parahippocampal convolution of the uncus
Visual seizures
striate cortex of the occipital lobe
Auditory hallucinations
superior temporal convolution
vertiginous sensations
superoposterior temporal region
visceral sensations
middle frontal gyrus
Common manifestations of frontal lobe epilepsy
volvular epilepsy or walking repetitively in small circles, epilepsia procursiva or running and poriomania or wandering aimlessly
Most common type of reflex epilepsy
Visual
Beneficial treatment of choice in Rasmussen Syndrome
high dose corticosteroid
AEDs that can greatly increase the chance of breakthrough menstrual bleeding in women taking oral contraceptives
Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Barbiturates
AEDs associated with lower IQ in children
Sodium Valproate, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine
If a woman with seizure disorder has been off epilepsy medications for a time before getting pregnant and seizes during pregnancy, what is the best choice of AED?
Phenytoin, Levetiracetam
Most frequent idosyncratic reaction to AEDs
Rash
Sequence of life-threatening events encountered in cases of convulsive status epilepticus
Rising temperature –> Acidosis –> Hypotension –> Renal Failure
Approximately how many % of all patients with epilepsy are candidates for surgical therapy?
25%
Major source of caloric intake in epileptic patients initiated on ketogenic diet
80-90% Fats
2014 ILAE new definition for epilepsy
A disease with either recurrent unprovoked seizures occurring at least 24 hours apart or a heightened tendency of at least 60% toward recurrent unprovoked seizures, or when an epilepsy syndrome in diagnosed.
Most common non-neurologic disorder mimicking epilepsy
Syncope
MRI sequence which have shown 97% accuracy for detecting abnormalities associated with medial temporal sclerosis
FLAIR imaging sequence
The only condition with evidence supporting AED prophylaxis
high-risk head injury in the early post traumatic period
Responsible for most of the metabolism of Phenytoin
CYP2C9
Responsible for most of the metabolism of Carbamazepine
CYP3A4
AED with multiple mechanisms of action including GABA potentiation, blocking of T-type calcium channels and blocking sodium channels
Valproate
Drug-resistant epilepsy is defined as a failure of adequate trials of ____ tolerated, appropriately chosen and used anticonvulsant drug schedules to achieve sustained seizure freedom.
two
It constitutes the most characteristic epilepsy of childhood
Typical absence seizures
T/F: The typical absence, with or without myoclonic jerks, rarely cause the patient to fall.
True
T/F: The generalized tonic-clonic seizures of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy occurs upon awakening.
True
A particular combination of gelastic seizures and precocious puberty has been traced to this condition?
Hamartoma of the hypothalamus
This common focal motor epilepsy is unique among the focal epilepsies of childhood in that it is self-limiting despite of very abnormal EEG pattern
Rolandic Epilepsy
One of the most common viral precipitants of febrile seizures
Herpesvirus 6
T/F: Blood for serum levels is ideally drawn in the morning before breakfast before the first ingestion of anticonvulsant
True (through levels)