Session 8 - Epilepsy Flashcards
What is a seizure?
A sudden irregular discharge of electrical activity in the brain causing physical manifestations such as sensory disturbance, unconsciousness or convulsions.
What is a convulsion?
Uncontrolled shaking movements of the body due to rapid and repeated contraction and relaxation of muscles.
What is an aura?
A perceptual disturbance experienced by some prior to a seizure, e.g. strange light, unpleasant smell, confusing thoughts.
What is epilepsy?
A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
What is status epilepticus?
Epileptic seizures occurring continuously without recovery of consciousness in between.
What is the difference between partial and generalised seizures?
Partial seizures - affect only part of the brain
Generalised seizures - affect all of the brain
What are the two types of partial seizure?
Simple - consciousness retained
Complex - loss of consciousness
In which lobe do partial seizures most commonly occur?
Temporal lobe
What feature is characteristic of temporal lobe epilepsy?
Auras - auditory hallucination, rush of memories
Which lobe of the brain is the second most commonly affected by partial seizures?
Frontal lobe epilepsy - abnormal movements when motor areas affected.
What are the different types of generalised seizures?
Tonic-clonic - increased muscle tone, convulsions
Absence - ‘daydreaming’
Myoclonic - brief shock-like muscle jerks
Tonic - increased tone
Atonic - ‘without tone’, drop attack
Status epilepticus - medical emergency
What investigations are used to help diagnose epilepsy?
Clinical history
EEG
MRI
What are the possible differential diagnoses for patients presenting with epileptic like symptoms?
Vascular; stroke, TIA Infection: abscess, meningitis Trauma: intracerebral haemorrhage Autoimmune: SLE Metabolic: hypoxia, electrolyte imbalance, hypoglycaemia, thyroid dysfunction Iatrogenic: drugs, alcohol withdrawal Neoplastic: intracerebral mass
How are seizures initially managed?
ABCDE
Lorazepam or Midazolam
- prehospital = PR or buccal
- hospital = IV
