Seizures - Bloch Flashcards
seizures are (hyper/dys)synchronous discharge
hypersynchronous
seizures arise from (cortical/deep) neurons
cortical
How many unprovoked seizures are necessary to have epilepsy?
two more more
What fraction of all seizures are febrile convulsions
1/3
What is the lifetime incidence of seizures?
9%
what percent of patients with new onset seizures will have epilepsy?
60%
to have epilepsy, your seizures cannot be caused by…
EtOH or sedative withdrawal
metabolic disorders
nonketotic hyperglycemia
What are the types of partial seizures?
simple partial
complex partial
secondarily generalized
what are the types of generalized seizures?
Absence myoclonic Atonic Tonic Tonic-clonic
Dx of a type of epilepsy is based off of….
clinical history and seizure type
in what type of partial seizure is consciousness preserved?
simple partial
in what type of partial seizure is the person able to pay attention, and respond to questions and commands?
simple partial
In what type of partial seizure is consciousness lost?
complex partial
in what type of partial seizure is the memory of the seizure lost?
complex partial
in what type of partial seizure must driving be reistricted?
complex partial
partial onset seizures may progress to what?
secondarily generalized
Secondarily generalized seizures involve motor activity on (blank) sides of the body
both sides; makes it hard to tell if it is pimarily generalized
What are some of the clinical features of simple partial seizures?
- somatosensory or special Sx
- with motor signs
- with autonomic Sx or signs
- with psychic or experiential Sx
Presence and nature of aura, automatisms, and motor activity vary with what factors in complex partial seizures?
site of origin
degree of spread
what is the duration of a complex partial seizure?
less than two minutes
where do most complex partial seizures start/
temporal lobe
T/F: complex partial seizures can affect consciousness while still remaining focal
true
what is the first thing patients tend to do in a complex partial seizure?
stare off
what are automatisms?
commonly involve the mouth
lip smacking, chewing, swallowing, fumbling, picking, vocalizations, complex acts; done automatically
how long does post-ictal confusion last in complex partial?
less than 15 minutes
how long may fatigue and other Sx last after a complex partial seizure?
hours
T/f: Secondarily generalized seizures may begin with or without focal neurologic symptoms
true
Describe the tonic and clonic phases of secondarily generalized/
variable symmetry, intensity, and duration of the phases
How long does a secondarily generalized last?
1-3 minutes
what are the after effects of a secondarily generalized?
postictal confusion
somnolence
with or without transient focal deficit
what three things can distinguish a secondarily generalized from primary?
- history
- EEG
- neuro exam
- CT or MRI
(1ry/2ry) generalized will have an aura prior to convulsing
2ry
What is Todd’s paralysis?
focal weakness on the side contralteral to 2ry generalized seizure onset
Describe the EEG in simple partial seizures?
localized or lateralized abnormal rhythmic activity
the EEG in complex partial seizures is rhythmic and (uni/bi)lateral
bilateral
Describe the EEG in 2ry generalized seizures?
- rhythmic activity
- high amplitude
- bilateral and diffuse
- can be obscured by artifact from abundant muscle activity
what does an EEG look like immediately post-ictal?
FLATLINE; the neurons have spent all of their energy and neurotransmitter
what type of seizure affects both hemispheres from the beginning?
generalized
T/F: all generalized seizures result in some loss of consciousness
true
What type of seizure has a petit mal staring spell and impairment of awareness?
absence seizures
how long do absence seizures last?
3-20 seconds
Absence seizures have (sudden/prolonged) onset and resolution
sudden
What provokes absence seizures?
hyperventilation
What is the age that absence seizures typically onset?
between 4 and 14
By what age do absence seizures normally resolve?
18
T/f: children with absence seizures show developmental delays in langauge
false; normal development and intelligence
What is the hallmark EEG in absence seizures?
3hz spike-wave discharge
Do absence seizures have a postictal period?
nope
How do you distinguish between absence seizure and complex partial seizures?
absence does not have a post ictal period
If an absence seizure lasts more than ten seconds, what tends to also happen/
motor phenomena (eye blinks, automatic movements, changes in muscle tone)
What are the different characteristics of an atypical absence seizure?
generally not provoked by hyperventilation
onset after 6 years old
IN KIDS WITH GLOBAL COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
GRADUAL onset over seconds
describe the EEG in aytpical Absence seizures?
slow spike-wave complexes at less than 2.5hz
Pts with atypical absence seizures also have what two types of seizures?
atonic and tonic seizures
What is the EEG like in myloclonic seizures?
4-6 hz polyspike-wave and slow wave discharges
describe the presentation of a myoclonic seizure?
bilateral, synchronous jerks of the neck, shoulders, upper arms, body, and upper legs
is consciousness impaired in myclonic seizures?
no
how long does a myoclonic seizure last?
less than 1 second
if myoclonic seizures happen in succession, they are called….
clonic seizures
is there altered awareness in clonic seizures?
yes
describe the presentation of tonic seizures?
symmetric, tonic muscle contraction of extremities with tonic flexion of waist and neck
how long do tonic seizures last?
2-20 seconds
Describe the EEG in tonic seizures?
sudden attenuation with generalized, low voltage fast activity (most common)
OR
generalzed polyspike-wave
Describe the presentation of atonic seizures?
sudden loss of postural tone
severe = falls
mild = head nods or jaw drops
Atonic or tonic seizures and atypical absence are most common in people with….
other neurologic abnormalities
In contrast to partial motor seizures, tonic seizures are generalized and involve (blank) musculature
bilateral musculature in a symmetric or near symmetric manner
when do tonic seizures normally occur?
during sleep
how long do atonic seizures normally last?
several seconds, not longer than a minute
What does the EEG look like in an atonic seizure?
electrodecremental response; sudden diffuse attenuation or generalized polyspike wave
Epileptic drop attacks occur with what other seizures besides atonic?
myoclonic or tonic if the legs are involved
is consciousness impaired in atonic seizures?
yes
what type of seizures are grand mal?
primary generalized tonic-clonic
How long do grand mal last?
30-120 seconds
Does the tonic or clonic seizure happen first?
tonic phase
What happens in the tonic phase of grand mal?
stiffening and fall
ictal cry