Diagnostic tests (Yr4)

Question 1

what are the three overall causes of seizures?

Answer 1

idiopathic epilepsy
structural epilepsy
reactive seizures

Question 2

what is idiopathic epilepsy?

Answer 2

seizures caused by presumed genetic origin and have no inter-ictal neurological signs

Question 3

what is structural epilepsy?

Answer 3

epileptic seizures provoked by intracranial/cerebral pathology which usually present with other concurrent neurological signs (inflammatory, neoplastic, traumatic)

Question 4

what are reactive seizures?

Answer 4

seizures that occur as a natural response from normal brain tissue to a transient disturbance in function, typically with concurrent neurological signs (metabolic/toxic)

Question 5

how is idiopathic epilepsy diagnosed?

Answer 5

diagnosis of exclusion

Question 6

what is the first diagnostic test to do when presented with a seizure patient?

Answer 6

bloods… haematology and biochemistry (electrolyte, calcium and glucose disturbances can ll cause seizures)
liver function testing (blue acid stimulation and ammonia)