Neuro: Part 5 Flashcards
Motor effects in primary generalised seizures
BILATERAL SYMMETRICAL and synchronous motor manifestations
What are partial (focal) seizures
These are localised to a part of one hemisphere
What causes partial seizures
Structural diseases
How can a partial seizure progress
Can become secondary generalised tonic-clonic seizures
What are tonic-clonic generalised seizures
Causes bilateral tonic and clonic muscle contractions
What is the Tonic phase of the seizure
- Consciousness lost and skeletal muscles will suddenlyy tense - patient falls
- Upward deviation of the eyes (open)
- Mouth open
How long does he tonic phase of a seizure last
10-20 seconds
What is the clonic phase of a seizure
Muscle relaxation of tense muscle from tonic and re-contraction - convulsions
Bilateral,, rythmic muscle jerking
Clinical presentation of primary generalised tonic-clonic seizure
- Often no AURA stage (sudden progression to post-itically)
- Loss of consciousness
- Eyes open
- Tongue bitten
- Incontinence/faeces
- Drowsiness, coma or confusion post-itically
- Characteristic groan as they fall to ground
What is petit mal
Generalised seizure in which there is brief loss and return of consciousness and NO POSTICTAL state
When is petit mal seen
Children
Clinical presentation of petit mal
- Child ceases activity, stares and pales (stops talking and then carries on)
- Unawaree of attack
Diagnostic of petit mal
EEG - shows 3-Hz spike
How does petit mal progress as a condition as child becomes adult
Develop generalised tonic-clonic seizures in adult life
What are myoclonal seizures
Seizures in myoclonic families - those who have brief, involuntary twitching of a group of muscles
Isolated jerk of limb, face or trunk
Clinical presentation of myoclonic seizure
Patient thrown suddenly to the ground or have a disobedient limb
What are tonic seizures
Sustained increase tone with a groan as they fall to the ground
Intense stiffening of body
What are tonic seizures not followed by jerking
Because there is no clonic phase
What is an atonic seizure
Sudden loss in muscle tone and cessation of movement - fall to th aground
What are simple partial seizures
- Focal serisures that do not effect consciousness or memory
- Asymptomatic and no post-octal symptoms
What are complex partial seizures
- Affect awareness and memory before, during or immediately after seizure
Where do complex partial seizures occur
Usually in the temporal lobe (speech, memory and emotion)
Post-Ictal signs of complex partial seizures
Confusion
In which complex partial seizure is recovery more rapid
Temporal and frontal lobe
What happens to a partial seizure in 2/3 of patients
Becomes secondary generalised seizure - conclusions seen
Clinical presentation of complex partial seizures in the temporal lobe
REMEMBER: effects memory, emotions and speech understanding
1. AUTO: Deja vu, auditory hallucinations, funny smell and fear
Anxiety or out of body experience, automatisms (chewing fiddling etc)
Clinical presentation of complex partial seizures in the frontal lobe
REMEMBER: Motor and though processing
- Posturing or peddling movements of leg
- Jacksonian march (seizure goes up and down motor homunculus)
- Post-ictal todd’s palsy - paralysis of limbs involved in seizure for a few hours
Clinical presentation of parietal lobe focal seizure
- SENSORY DISTURBANCES - tingling/numbness
Clinical presentation of occipital lobe focal seizure
Visual phenomenas (lines, flashes or spots)
How do we distinguish epilepsy over syncope
- Tongue biting
- head turning
- Muscle pain
- Loss of consciousness
- Cyanosis
- Post-ical symptoms
How do we distinguish syncope from epilepsy
- CAUSES: Prolongues standing, sweat prior to unconsciousness and nausea
What causes non-epileptic seizures
Situational dependnat
Signs of epileptic vs non-epileptic seizures
- Non: Longer, close mouth and eyes during tonic-clonic movements and pelvic thrusting - NO INCONTIENCNE OR TONGUE BITING
Sleep is not a factor
PRE-ICTAL ANXIETY symptoms in non
Differential diagnosis of epilepsy
- Postural syncope
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- TIA
- MIGRAINE
- Hyperventilation
- Hypoglycaemia
- Panic attacks
- Non-epileptic seizure
Rule of thumb when diagnosing epilepsy
- Has to be at least 2 or more unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart - HISTORY taking
What diagnostics are sued for seizures
- EEG
- MRI
- CT Head
- FBC
- Genetic testing
Why is an EEG done for seizures
NON-diagnostic but supports diagnosis
Seizure type and what epilepsy syndrome seen
3Hz spike
Why is an EEG not diagnostics
Becomes normal between attacks
Role of MRI in seizures
Imaging of hippocampus
Role of hippocampus
Short-term to long-term memory
Spatial memory for navigation
Role of CT in seizures
- SPACE OCCUPYING LESIOSN (tumour caused seizure??)
2. Structural abnormalities
Role of FBA in seizures
- Hypoglycaemia
- RENAL and liver function tests
- Rules out comorbities
When is genetic testing useful for seizures
Myoclonic epilepsy (remember, family dependant)
How is seizures treated when not knowing the actual type of seizure present
- ABCDE
- Glucose monitor
- DIAZEPAM (rectally or IV)
- IV PHENYTOIN (prophylaxis anti-epileptic drug)
——2nd line——-
Anaesthetist involvement and ventilation
When should drugs for seizure not be given
When it is one-off
Treatment of generalised tonic-clonic seizure
ORAL SODIUM VOLPROATE (teratogenic)
ORAL LAMOTRIGINE
ORAL CARBAMAZEPINE
Side-Effect of generalised tonic-clonic seizure
Weight gain
Hair loss
Liver failure
Side effects of oral LAMOTRIGINE
Maculopapular rash
Blurred vision
Vomiting
Side effects of ORAL CARBAMAZEPINE
Diplopia Rashes Leucopenia Impaired balance Drowsiness
What are maculopapular rash
Flat red area on skin with small bumbs
Treatment of petit mal
- ORAL SODIUM VALPROATE
- ORAL LAMOTRIGINE
- ORAL ETHOSUXIMIDE
Side effect of ORAL ETHOSUXIMIDE
Rashes
Night terrors