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Neurology > Epilepsy > Flashcards

Epilepsy Flashcards

1
Q

What is a seizure?

A

Sudden irregular discharge of electrical activity in the brain causing a physical manifestation

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2
Q

What is a convulsion?

A

Uncontrolled shaking movements of the body due to rapid and repeated contraction and relaxation of muscles

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3
Q

What is an aura?

A

A perceptual disturbance experienced

e. g
- strange light
- unpleasant smell
- confusing thoughts

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4
Q

What is epilepsy?

A

Neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, LOC or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain

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5
Q

What is status epilepticus?

A

Epileptic seizures occurring continuously without recovery of consciousness between

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6
Q

How are seizures classified?

A

Partial

General

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7
Q

How are partial seizures further classified?

A

Simple

Complex

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8
Q

How are general seizures further classified?

A 
Absence
Myoclonic 
Tonic-clonic 
Tonic 
Atonic
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9
Q

What is a partial seizure?

A

Seizure with a single focus

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10
Q

What is a generalised seizure?

A

Seizure spread uncontrolled throughout brain

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11
Q

What is a simple partial seizure?

A

No loss of consciousness

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12
Q

What is a complex partial seizure?

A

Loss of consciousness

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13
Q

What are common types of partial seizures?

A

Temporal lobe epilepsy

Frontal lobe epilepsy

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14
Q

What are the features of temporal lobe epilepsy?

A

Hallucinations
Automatisms
Rush of memories

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15
Q

What are features of frontal lobe epilepsy?

A

Head/leg movements
Posturing
Post-ictal weakness

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16
Q

What is a tonic-clonic seizure?

A

2 parts

  • muscles tense
  • convulsions
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17
Q

What is an absence seizure?

A

Loss of awareness

‘daydreaming’

18
Q

What is a myoclonic seizure?

A

Brief shock-like muscle jerks

19
Q

What is an atonic seizure?

A

Loss of tone

‘Drop attacks’

20
Q

What is a tonic seizure?

A

Increased tone

21
Q

What are other features of tonic-clonic seizures?

A

Pre-seizure aura

Tongue biting
Incontinence

Prolonged post ictal phase

22
Q

How are seizures investigated?

A

EEG
MRI brain

ECG
Bloods 
- FBC
- U&Es
- calcium
23
Q

How are single seizures managed?

A

Confirm diagnosis
Establish cause
Discuss implications

24
Q

How is the diagnosis of epilepsy made?

A

> 2 seizures in >24 hours

25
Q

How are generalised seizures managed?

A

Sodium valproate
Lamotrigine
Phenytoin

26
Q

How are complex partial seizures managed?

A

Carbamazepine
Lamotrigine
Levetiracetam

27
Q

What is the mechanism of sodium valproate?

A

Increases GABA activity

28
Q

What are side effects of sodium valproate?

A

Liver damage
Hair loss
Tremor

Lowers vit D - needs regular monitoring

Teratogenic - women of child bearing age need 2 forms of contraception

29
Q

What is the mechanism of lamotrigine?

A

Sodium channel blocker

30
Q

What are the side effects of lamotrigine?

A

SJS

Leucopenia

31
Q

What is the mechanism of phenyotin?

A

Sodium channel blocker

32
Q

What are the side effects of phenytoin?

A

Folate deficiency
Vit D deficiency

Megaloblastic anaemia
Osteomalacia

33
Q

What is the mechanism of carbamazepine?

A

Sodium channel blocker

34
Q

What are the side effects of carbamazepine?

A

Agranulocytosis
Aplastic anaemia

P450 inducer

35
Q

What is the mechanism of levetiracetam?

A

Blocks pre-synaptic calcium release

36
Q

What are the side effects of levetiracetam?

A

Headache
Drowsiness
SJS

37
Q

What are the driving rules for a single unprovoked seizure with normal brain imaging and EEG?

A

6 months off

38
Q

What are the driving rules for a single unprovoked seizure with an abnormality detected?

A

12 months off

39
Q

What are the driving rules for confirmed epilepsy?

A

12 months seizure free

40
Q

What are the driving rules for epilepsy medication withdrawal?

A

Do not drive during withdrawal and for 6 months after

Neurology (23 decks)

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