IC6&7: Seizures and Epilepsy Flashcards
What is seizures?
Transient occurrence of signs and symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in brain
What is epilepsy?
It is a conditions that is affected by
1. Min. 2 unprovoked seizures > 24 hours apart
2. 1 unprovoked and probability of further seizures similar to general recurrence risk after 2 unprovoked seizures for next 10 years
3. Diagnosis of epilepsy syndrome
What causes an acute seizure?
Recognizable stimulus such as metabolic disorders, toxic substance, infection, inflammation or structural issues
What is a remote seizure?
Seizure that occur longer than 1week following disorder known to increase the risk of epilepsy
What is an non-epileptic seizure?
Seizures that have s/s similar to that of epilepsy but there is no abnormal discharge
What is an unprovoked seizure?
Seizure not caused by anything clinical condition or beyond interval estimated for occurrence of acute symptomatic seizures
What are the 2 types of non-epileptic seizures?
- Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
- Psychological non-epileptic events
What are the common drugs that are related to lowering of seizures threshold?
- Antimicrobial - beta-lactam (high doses)
- Analgesics - Opioids, tramadol
- Antipsychotics - Clozapine
- Antidepressant - Bupropion
- Immunosuppressants - cyclosporine
- Simulants - Dextroamphetamine, metylphenidate
Describe the pathophysiology of seizures and epilepsy.
- Hyperexcitability: Increase depolarization due to imbalance of neurotransmitter, abnormal intra and extracellular substances, and ion channels
- Hypersynchronization: Hippocampal sclerosis (reorganization of local circuits, contribute to synchronization + promotion of epileptiform activity generation)
What are the key features of ILAE classifciation?
- Location of seizure in brain
- Awareness level
- Other features of seizure
What are the clinical presentation of focal onset seizures?
- Motor symptoms: Clonic twitching, speech arrest
- Sensory: GI discomfort, numbness, tingling, visual
- Autonomic: BP, pallor, HR
- Psychic: flashback, hallucinations, mood changes
What are the clinical presentation in generalized tonic clonic seizures?
- Limbs stiffening, jerking of face and limbs
- Breathing issues - labored, heavy
- Cyanosis
- Possible incontinences, biting of tongue and inner mouth
- Headaches, lethargic, confused, sleepy - After seizures
Generalized clonic seizures are ______ and ______ in naure and often occurs in _______.
- Asymmetrical
- Irregular
- Neonates, infants, young children
What are the clinical presentation of generalized tonic seizures?
Sudden loss of consciousness and rigid posture of entire body lasting 10 to 20 seconds
Generalized tonic seizures are common in ______.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
Generalized myoclonic seizures involves _______.
rapid, brief contractions of bodily muscles on both side
List the clinical presentation of absence sizeures.
- Basic lapse in awareness for a few seconds
- EEG pattern “3 Hz spike wave”
What is the characteristic presentation of atonic seizures?
Collapse like “paper doll”
What is the scalp electroencephalography used for?
Diagnosis and seizures classification
What are the limitation of scalp electroencephalography?
- Not all patients will have abnormal EEG
- Normal EEG does not exclude possibility of epilepsy
- Unable to sense if seizures from deep down the brain
What is the use of a video EEG?
To assist in diagnosis of issues that cannot be solved by normal EEG
MRI with gadolinium helps to identify _____.
focal lesions
What are the biochemical and toxicology test used for?
- Rule out electrolytes abnormalities
- Measure serum prolactin
- Creatine kinase
List 4 psychosocial issues that seizures patients face?
- Social stigma
- Employment
- Driving prohibition
- Caregiver burden
Describe the first aid measurements that should be done when someone is having seizures.
- Lay person on floor with something soft under head, facing one side.
- Remove sharp objects, glasses and potential objects that can obstruct breathing
- Time seizure. If > 5mins, call 911
List 4 things that should not be done when someone is having a seizure.
- Restrict movement
- CPR
- Put anything in mouth
- Offer food/ water till alert
List 4 non-pharmacological methods used for seizures.
- Ketogenic diet
- Vagus nerve stimulator
- Responsive neurostimulator system
- Epilepsy surgery
Ketogenic diet is mainly used for seizure prevention in ______.
children
Vagus nerve stimulator is used only for _____ seizures.
intractable focal
Responsive neurostimulator system helps decrease _______ seizures.
partial onset