Epilepsy Flashcards
What is epilepsy?
Two or more unprovoked seizures > 24 hrs apart
What is a seizure?
Recurrent tendency to spontaneous, intermittent, abnormal electrical activity in part of the brain caused by excessive hypersynchronous neuronal discharges
What are the phases of a seizure? (4)
- Prodromal phase
- Aural phase
- Ictal phase
- Postictal phase
What is a focal seizure?
Seizure affecting one side of the brain/ lobe
What is a generalised seizure?
Seizure affecting the whole cortex of the brain
Pt suddenly becomes stiff all over and falls backwards. No jerking. What type of seizure is this?
Tonic seizure
Pt loses muscle tone all over and falls forward. No loss of consciousness. What type of seizure is this?
Atonic seizure
Pt has violent muscle contractions - convulsions. What type of seizure is this?
Clonic seizure
Pt goes rigid and falls, then proceeds to convulse for 1 min. After, pt seems confused and drowsy. What type of seizure is this?
Tonic-clonic seizure
Pt’s arm suddenly jerks out whilst you’re carrying a history. What type of seizure is this?
Myoclonic seizure
Pt suddenly stops talking mid-sentence and appears spaced out. They then continue talking as if nothing happened, picking up where they left off. What type of seizure is this?
Absence seizure
Pt reports hearing noises, funny smells and deja vu. What type of seizure is this?
Temporal lobe seizure
Pt’s family reports seizure marching from the leg to the neck. What is this called? What type of seizure is this?
Jacksonian march
Frontal lobe seizure
After experiencing a seizure, pt report being unable to move limbs for several hours after. What is this called? What type of seizure is this?
Todd’s palsy
Frontal lobe seizure
Pt recalls feeling tingling/ numbness in limbs. What type of seizure is this?
Parietal lobe seizure
