Epilepsy

Question 0

Partial/focal seizures

Answer 0

Can be simple (patient is conscious) or complex (impaired consciousness)-can spread to become a secondary generalised seizure

Question 1

What is epilepsy?

Answer 1

Episodic discharge of high frequency electrical activity in the brain leading to a seizure.
Diagnosis requires recurrent seizures which are unprovoked by other identifiable causes.
Symptom of underlying neurological pathology

Question 2

Generalised seizures

Answer 2

Generated centrally and spread quickly through both hemispheres with a loss of consciousness.
Tonic clonic (grand mal)
Absence (petit mal)
Many other types are recognised

Question 3

Status epilepticus

Answer 3

Seizures lasting more than 5 minutes or in close succession with no time for recovery.
Medical emergency

Question 4

Epilepsy aetiology

Answer 4

Primary in 65-70% - channelopathies?

Secondary in 30-35% - other disease eg vascular or tumours.

Question 5

Precipitants of epilepsy

Answer 5

Sensory stimuli
Brain disease/trauma
Metabolic disturbances
Infection