Epilepsy

Question 1

What are three causes of syncope?

Answer 1

Reflex/neuro-cardiogenic (during medical procedures, coughing, seeing blood)
Orthostatic (changes in BP, postural effect, medication related, dehydration)
Cardiogenic (arrhythmias, aortic stenosis)

Question 2

What investigations should be done for syncope?

Answer 2

ECG (may need ambulatory) look for heart block
Heart rate, sounds
Blood Pressure inc postural

Question 3

What is epilepsy defined as?

Answer 3

Tendency to have recurrent unprovoked seizures
Disrupted electrical activity in brain
Need to have more than one seizure for diagnosis unless a known stroke deficit or tumour is present or the EEG suggests tendency is likely

Question 4

What are causes of provoked seizures?

Answer 4

Eclampsia
24 hour of stroke or neurosurgery
Alcohol/drug withdrawal
Head Injury
Severe electrolyte disturbance

Question 5

What are absence seizures?

Answer 5

In children from hyperventilation or photic stimulation
Brief staring and eyelid fluttering
Treated with ethosuximide

Question 6

What is the acute treatment for epilepsy?

Answer 6

First line benzodiazepenes

Second line sodium valproate or phenytoin

Question 7

What is status epilepticus?

Answer 7

Prolonged or recurrent tonic-clonic seizures persisting for more than 30 minutes with no recovery period between seizures