Epilepsy Flashcards
*What is a seizure?
Transient episode (s/sx) due to abnormal excessive/synchronous brain activity
*What is epilepsy?
Any of the following:
- 2 or more seizures >24 h apart
- 1 unprovoked seizure + 60% or more recurrence risk after 2 unprovoked seizures (over next 10 years)
- Epilepsy syndrome diagnosis
*What are some possible CNS insults that can provoke seizures in normal individuals?
Metabolic (Na, Ca, Mg, Glucose)
Infectious/Inflammation (fevers)
Structural (stroke, traumatic brain injury)
Toxic (illicit drugs, alcohol, BZD withdrawal)
(MIST)
*What is the pathophysiology of seizures/epilepsy?
Hyperexcitability + Hypersynchronization
What are some factors contributing to Hyperexcitability ?
- More ion channels
- Metabolic abnormalities
- Excessive excitatory neurotransmitter
- Insufficient inhibitory neurotransmitter
Examples of excitatory neurotransmitters?
glutamine, acetylcholine, histamine, cytokines,
Examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters?
GABA, dopamine
Focal onset refers to __ in the context of epilepsy.
Seizures beginning in only 1 hemisphere
Generalized onset refers to __ in the context of epilepsy.
Seizures beginning in both hemispheres
Dyscognitive features refers to __ in the context of epilepsy.
Impairment of consciousness
*How does ILAE classify seizures?
- Focal/generalized
- Dyscognitive features Y/N
- Other features
*For a conscious patient with focal onset seizures, what are the possible motor symptoms they may present with?
Clonic movement
Speech arrest
*For a conscious patient with focal onset seizures, what are the possible sensory symptoms they may present with?
Feelings of numbness/tingling
Visual disturbances
Rising epigastric sensation
*For a conscious patient with focal onset seizures, what are the possible autonomic symptoms they may present with?
HR, pallor, BP, Sweating, salivation
HPBSS
*For focal onset seizures without dyscognitive features, what are the possible psychic/somatosensory symptoms they may present with?
Hallucinations
Flashbacks
Affective symptoms (i.e. fear, depression, anger and irritability)
(HAF)
*For focal onset seizures with dyscognitive features, what are the possible symptoms they may present with?
Aura
Impaired consciousness
Automatisms (i.e. lip smacking, chewing or picking at their clothing unpurposefully)
*What is the tonic phase of generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizures characterized by?
Stiffening of limbs
Breathing may decrease or stop, possibly leading to cyanosis
*What is the clonic phase of generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizures characterized by?
Jerking of limbs and face Usually lasts 1minute Breathing typically resumes (may be noisy/ labored/ irregular) Incontinence may occur Biting of tongue or inside of mouth (J1 BIB)
*How would a patient feel after a GTC seizure event?
Headache
Sleepy
Lethargic
Confused
*How long will full recovery take post a GTC seizure event?
Minutes to hours (depending on severity of episode)
*What are the characteristics of a generalized clonic seizure?
Clonic jerking is asymmetrical and irregular
Which patient group is most likely to present with generalized clonic seizures?
neonates, infants or young children
*What are the characteristics of a generalized tonic seizure?
Sudden loss of consciousness and rigid posture of entire body
Lasts 10-20 seconds
Which patient group is most likely to present with generalized tonic seizures?
Any age with diffuse cerebral damage and learning disability
Association with other seizure types i.e. Lennox Gastaut syndrome
*What are the characteristics of a generalized myoclonic seizure?
Involves rapid, brief contractions of bodily muscles, usually occurring on both sides of the body concurrently
- On occasion, may involve just one arm or one foot
*What are the characteristics of a generalized absence seizure?
Basic lapse in awareness that begins and ends abruptly
- Often mistaken as persistent staring
Which patient group is most likely to present with generalized absence seizures?
- More common in children than in adults
- First onset usually occurs at 4-12 years old; rarely after 20 years old
It is important to differentiate generalized absence seizures from __ as the patient may be __.
- Complex partial seizures/ Focal onset seizures with dyscognitive features
- prescribed the wrong medication
Absence seizures differ from Focal onset seizures with dyscognitive features as they (absence seizures) __.
Absence seizures are:
- no proceeding auras
- short duration (seconds, rather than minutes)
- begin and end abruptly
- Characteristic ‘3Hz spike waves’ in EEG
*What are the characteristics of a generalized atonic seizure?
Most severe: all postural tone suddenly lost, collapsing to the ground (drop attacks)
Short episode
Immediate recovery
(MSI)
Which patient group is most likely to present with generalized atonic seizures?
Any age
Always associated with diffuse cerebral damage and learning disability
Common in severe symptomatic epilepsies i.e. Lennox
Gastaut syndrome
A young patient was reported to frequently stare at teachers and classmates by the parents. What kind of seizure condition is likely?
Absence seizures (Generalized onset)
A young patient presents at the clinic and shows multiple injuries i.e. falls, burns. What kind of seizure condition is likely?
Atonic seizures (Generalized onset)
Which positive symptom in a seizure is often used as a surrogate for impaired awareness?
Urinary incontinence
Which positive symptom in a seizure may suggest GTC seizures?
Muscle soreness (due to high levels of motor activity)
When a patient presents with dyscognitive features, it is important to rule out __.
syncope (fainting possible due to block in O2 supply)
When a patient describes a moving tingling sensation in fingers, it is important to rule out __.
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA stroke)
Patients that present with seizure-like jerking without EEG abnormalities may in fact not have seizures but instead have __.
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
__ have many overlapping non-specific symptoms with seizures and should be ruled out.
Migraines
*An epileptiform EEG __ while a normal EEG __.
electro-encephalo-graphy (EEG)
- confirms diagnosis of seizures/epilepsy
2. does not exclude possibility of epilepsy
*What are limitations of EEG?
- Not all epileptic patients have abnormal EEG (false negative)
- Normal patients may have abnormal EEG (false positive)
*What is the purpose of an MRI with gadolinium in the context of epilepsy?
To rule out structural abnormalities (i.e. focal leisons)
Who should receive an MRI with gadolinium?
Adults
1st seizure
Focal neurological deficit
Suggestive of focal onset seizure
*Why would a patient undergo biochemical/toxicology testing?
To rule out electrolyte abnormalities
Although serum prolactin is correlated with seizure activity, it is not used routinely due to __.
considerable variability
__ tests should be raised following a GTC seizure event as it has good correlation.
Creatinine Kinase (CK)
How should we begin with pharmacotherapy workup for a patient presenting with their 1st ‘seizure’ event?
- Is it a Seizure?
- First?
- Provoked/Cause?
- Need for AED? (risk of recurrence and patient factors)
(SFPCN)
The risk of seizure recurrence is increased if patients have: __, __, __, __.
- Epileptiform EEG
- Structural abnormalities (brain imaging)
- Prior brain insult (stroke/trauma)
- Nocturnal seizure
(ESPN)
The risk of recurrence after 2 unprovoked seizures is __, which is also usually the point we advise patients to start AED treatment.
~70%
Individualizing the pharmacologicals for the patient should be based on __, __ and __.
- seizure type/epilepsy syndrome
- co-morbidities and co-medications
- Patient preference/lifestyle/job
(SCP)
When rapid titration is required, i.e. acute treatment of Status epilepticus, the use of __ or __ would not be appropriate due to their slow titration
Lamotrigine
Topiramate
When seizure patients also complain of migraines, the use of __ or __ is suitable.
Topiramate
Valproate
When seizure patients have depression/anxiety, __ should be used with caution.
Levetiracetam
AEDs with many DDIs i.e. __ or __ should be avoided if the patient is on concurrent drugs that also have complex DDIs i.e. HIV tx/immunosuppressants)
Carbamazepine
Phenytoin
For female epileptic patients with childbearing potential, __ or __ are good options.
Levetiracetam/Lamotrigine
__ may cause speech/thinking retardation (cognitive impairment) especially when newly started, and may not be a suitable AED for patients mentally intensive careers.
Topiramate
When initiating AEDs, we should start patient on a __, appropriate AED. If Seizures continue with no drug SEs, we should __.
- low dose, 1st line
2. gradually increase AED dose
If seizures continue despite max doses, we should conduct __, __, __.
Diagnosis Review
Adherence Check
Appropriate drug Check
(DAA)