Paeds Neuro Flashcards
Idiopathic generalised epilepsy encompasses which three main types?
Myoclonic
Absence
Primary generalised tonic clonic
Focal epilepsy encompasses which three main types?
Focal aware
Focal impaired awareness
Focal to bilateral tonic clonic (aka secondary tonic clonic)
Daydreaming at school. Among your differentials is ADHD, ASD and childhood absence epilepsy. What else is important to exclude?
hearing difficulties!
What is a convulsion?
seizure with motor components
Brief generalised tonic clonic with rapid rise in fever. Affects children 6 months - 6yrs. Parental reassurance and buccal midazolam for >5mins. What are these?
Febrile convulsions
Name three symptoms of benign paroxysmal vertigo
nystagmus, unsteadiness, falling
Expiratory apnoea leading to syncope. Precipitated by anger / crying. What’s this called and what happens?
Blue breath-holding spells.
Go blue, stiff, then limp. Rapid recovery.
Toddlers with FHx have head bump, fright or ice cream and get a funny turn with spasms. What’s this called and what happens?
Reflex aystolic syncope
Cardiac asystole then quick recovery!
Name 3 features of frontal lobe focal seizures.
Jacksonian march, fencing, adversive (eyes & head to one side)
Name 4 features of temporal lobe focal seizures.
smell changes
taste changes
automatism (eg lip-smacking, picking at clothes)
deja-vu
Name a feature of occipital lobe focal seizures.
Stereotyped visual hallucinations
Name a feature of parietal lobe focal seizures.
Dysaesthesia (altered sensation)
Name three investigations for suspected epilepsy
ECG
EEG
MRI/CT brain
Can give valproate or lamotrigine for generalised. Also carbamazepine for primary generalisd tonic clonic. Which ones should you avoid carabamazepine in?
Absence
Myoclonic
What is first line med for focal epilepsy?
carbamazepine
What is first line med for absence?
ethosuximide
Name 3 side effects of valproate.
teratogenic
weight gain
hair loss
Name 2 side effects of carbamazepine.
rash
ataxia
Name 3 side effects of lamotrigine.
rash
ataxia
insomnia
Apart from medications, name three other options for epileptic seizure control.
ketogenic diet
vagal nerve stimulation
lobectomy
Which syndrome is cannabis oil (cannabidiol) said to be beneficial in?
Lennox Gastaut (if treatment resistant)
Hi. There are a number of “Childhood Epilepsy Syndromes”. Please list 6.
- Infantile spasms (salaam)
- Lennox-Gastaut
- Childhood absence epilepsy
- Benign rolandic epilepsy
- Juvenile absence epilepsy
- Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
<1yr old with extension of arms like praying. What’s this? Prognosis?
Infantile spasms. salaam syndrome.
bad –> LD, continuing epilepsy
Little girl gets this type of seizure when she blows on a windmill (hyperventilation). What’s this?
childhood absence epilepsy [4-12yrs]
developmentally normal but may affect schooling. most grow out of it, some go on to juvenile absence/myoclonic
EEG shows 3Hz spike & wave discharges. What’s this?
absence
What do infantile spasms (salaam syndrome) show on EEG?
Hyps arrhythmia
Can be childhood absence epilepsy or juvenile absence epilepsy. What’s the different ages?
childhood absence - 4-12yrs
juvenile absence - teens
childhood - most grow out of it. Juvenile - lifelong Rx.
Where is the Rolandic area in the brain?
centro-temporal