Module 4.1 (Intro to Epilepsy) Flashcards

1
Q

Summary of Epilepsy

A

Epilepsy is a disorder characterised by a tendency to experience recurrent seizures

  • Usually >1 unprovoked seizure
  • Can be resolved with time
  • Can be the primary problem or the symptom of another brain disorder

> Role of GABA, NMDA, electrolytes and glucose

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2
Q

What are some causes of acute symptomatic seizures?

A

Metabolic disorders

  • hypoglycaemia
  • hyponatraemia
  • hypocalcaemia
  • kidney failure

Intoxication with some drugs or poisons

Drug or alcohol withdrawal

Stroke

Brain trauma

Intracranial infection

  • Meningitis
  • Encephailitis
  • Cerebral abscess

Autoimmune encephalitis

Hypertensive encephalopathy

Severe cerebral hypoxia ( cardaic arrest)

Eclampsia

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3
Q

How to classify epilepsy?

A

Use a multi-level framework. ILAE classification at 4 levels

  1. Seizure type

> Generalised onset - eg tonic-clonic, tonic, myoclonic, absence = both parts of the prain

> Focal onset – aware and impaired awareness and progressive = one part of the brain

> Unknown

> Unclassified

  1. Epilepsy type

> Generalised

> Focal

> Generalised and focal (eg Dravet and Lenox-Gastaut)

> Unknown (eg epilpetic spasms)

  1. Epilpesy syndrome

> Distinct clinical entity e.g. West syndrome, Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

  1. Epilepsy with etiology

> Genetic, structural, metabolic, immune, infectious, unknown

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4
Q

Diagnosis of epilepsy

A
  • Clinical diagnosis
  • EEG, MRI, other testing
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