Epilepsy and Seizures Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of seizures?

A

Transient disturbance of cerebral function due to abnormal
paroxysmal neuronal discharge in the brain (electrical issue)

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2
Q

What is the definition of epilepsy?

A

any disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizure

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3
Q

What percentage of children will experience a febrile seizure by age 14 years?

A

1%

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4
Q

What are some causes of seizures?

A

Vascular diseases
Trauma
Metabolic disorders
Tumors/space occupying lesions
Infectious diseases
Degenerative disorders
Pediatric age group

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5
Q

What are the three classifications of seizures?

A

Focal seizures
Generalized seizures
Status Epilepticus

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6
Q

What type of seizure has only a restricted part of one cerebral hemisphere has been activated?

A

Focal Seizures

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7
Q

What is a another name for Focal Seizures?

A

partial seizures

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8
Q

What type of seizure has diffuse brain involvement?

A

Generalized Seizures

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9
Q

What are the types of generalized seizures?

A

Absence
Atypical Absence
Myoclonic
Tonic-Clonic
Atonic

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10
Q

Which type of generalized seizures has the following characteristics:

Impairment of consciousness - Stop speaking, stare off into space (“blank stare”)

Mild tonic, clonic, or atonic components

Autonomic component (eneurisis)

A

Absence Seizures

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11
Q

Which type of generalized seizures has the following characteristics:

Marked changes in tone

Gradual onset and termination

Common in patient with multiple seizure types

Developmental delayed patient

A

Atypical Absence

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12
Q

Which type of generalized seizures has the following characteristics:

Sudden loss of consciousness
Tonic phase
Clonic phase
Sluggish postictal period of minutes to hours
More than likely won’t remember the seizure event, but they may remember right
before (a certain smell, etc)

A

Tonic-Clonic Seizures

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13
Q

Tonic-Clonic Seizures are also known as?

A

Grand Mal Seizures

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14
Q

List some precipitating factors for tonic-clonic seizures

A

Lack of sleep
EtOH
Certain medications
Missed meals
Emotional stress
Menstruation
Flickering lights
music

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15
Q

Which type of seizures has the following characteristics:

Further convulsions without consciousness between attacks

Can cause permanent brain damage secondary to hyperthermia, circulatory collapse, or excitotoxic neuronal changes

Mortality rate 20%

A

Tonic-Clonic Status Epilepticus

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16
Q

What is the mortality rate of Tonic-Clonic Status Epilepticus?

A

Mortality rate 20%

17
Q

What are some causes of Tonic-Clonic Status Epilepticus?

A

Poor compliance with medications
Alcohol withdrawal
Intracranial (Infections, neoplasms, etc)
Metabolic disorders
Drug overdose

18
Q

An EEG is used why?

A

To help classify seizure disorder

19
Q

Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures happen within what time frame of alcohol withdrawal?

A

within 48 hours of alcohol withdrawal

20
Q

What is the most common seizure disorder during childhood?

A

Febrile Seizures

21
Q

What is the peak incidence of febrile seizures?

A

14-18 month olds

But can happen any time between ages 6 months to 6 year olds

22
Q

What is the criteria for a febrile seizure?

A

Age 6 months – 5 years

Fever of 38.8 or higher

Non-CNS infection

23
Q

What are the characteristics of a febrile seizure?

A

Usually generalized tonic-clonic

Brief <5 minutes (most typically <2 min)

Occur in presence of otitis media, viral URI, and roseola

24
Q

What are the two classifications of a febrile seizure?

A

Simple and Complex

25
Q

Features of a simple febrile seizure?

A

Generalized

Brief

Single (do not recur within 24 hours)

26
Q

Features of a complex febrile seizure?

A

Focal

Prolonged >10 min

repetitive

27
Q

What is the pathophysiology of a Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizure (PNES)?

A

Conversion disorder or malingering

28
Q

What are the characteristics of a Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizure (PNES)?

A

Usually no tonic phase
Asynchronous thrashing – limb thrashing that is worse with restraints
Consciousness may be normal or “lost” – shouting, swearing, etc
Postictal no change in behavior
Video EEG

29
Q

What two labs are drawn in a suspected PNES and why?

A

Creatinine kinase - Will expect some rise due to thrashing (muscle activity)

Prolactin level - these levels are not elevated in PNES patients

30
Q

What labs should you order in a seizure patient?

A

CBC
Glucose
LFTs
Renal
Syphilis
LP - If any signs of infection are present
Creatinine kinase
Prolactin level