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EspañolNON-EPILEPTIC SEIZURE
(Redirected from Non-epileptic seizures)
'Non-epileptic seizures' are paroxysmal events that mimic an epileptic seizure but do not involve abnormal, rhythmic discharges of cortical neurons.[1] They are caused by either physiological or psychological conditions. The latter is discussed more fully in psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
''Reflex anoxic seizures'' are a condition of the brain where the child may become pale and limp and cease breathing, only to recover a short time later. Anoxic seizures are caused by a reflex asystole of the heart due to increased vagal responsiveness. They are non-epileptic.
A wide spectrum of phenomena may resemble epileptic seizures, which may lead to people who do not have epilepsy being misdiagnosed. Indeed, a significant percentage of people diagnosed with epilepsy later have this revised. In one study, the majority of children referred to a secondary clinic with "fits, faints and funny turns" did not have epilepsy, with syncope (fainting) as the most common alternative.[2] In another study, 39% of children referred to a tertiary epilepsy centre did not have epilepsy, with staring episodes in mentally retarded children as the most common alternative.[3] In adults, the figures are similar, with one study reporting a 26% rate of misdiagnosis.[4]
The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) define an 'epileptic seizure' as "a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain."[5] Epileptic seizures can occur in someone who does not have epilepsy – as a consequence of head injury, drugs, toxins, eclampsia or febrile convulsions, for example.
Medically, when used on its own, the term 'seizure' implies an 'epileptic seizure'. The lay use of this word can also include sudden attacks of illness, loss of control, spasm or stroke. Where the physician is uncertain as to the diagnosis, the medical term 'paroxysmal event' and the lay terms 'spells', 'funny turns' or 'attacks' may be used.
The various pathophysiological causes include:
★ Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
★ Breath-holding spells of childhood
★ Cataplexy
★ Hyperekplexia, also called 'startle syndrome'
★ Hypoglycemia and associated neuroglycopenia
★ infantile gratification / masturbation (onanism)[6]
★ Migraine
★ Narcolepsy
★ Non-epileptic myoclonus
★ Opsoclonus
★ Parasomnias, including night terrors
★ Paroxysmal kinesiogenic dyskinesia
★ Repetitive or ritualistic behaviours
★ Syncope (fainting)
★ Tics
★ Epilepsy Foundation article about non-epileptic seizures
★ National Society for Epilepsy (UK) article on Non-epileptic attack disorder. A slightly more technical article aimed at health professionals.
1. Differential Diagnosis in Adult Neuropsychological Assessment, , , , Springer Publishing Company, 2003, ISBN 0-8261-1665-5
2. Diagnoses made in a secondary care "fits, faints, and funny turns" clinic, Hindley D, Ali A, Robson C, , , Arch Dis Child, 2006 (Free full text online)
3. The misdiagnosis of epilepsy in children admitted to a tertiary epilepsy centre with paroxysmal events, Uldall P, Alving J, Hansen LK, Kibaek M, Buchholt J, , , Arch Dis Child, 2006 (Free full text online)
4. The misdiagnosis of epilepsy and the management of refractory epilepsy in a specialist clinic, Smith D, Defalla BA, Chadwick DW, , , QJM, 1999 (Free full text online)
5. Epileptic seizures and epilepsy: definitions proposed by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE)., Fisher R, van Emde Boas W, Blume W, Elger C, Genton P, Lee P, Engel J, , , Epilepsia, 2005 (Free full text online).
6. Gratification disorder ("infantile masturbation"): a review, Nechay A, Ross LM, Stephenson JB, O'Regan M, , , Arch Dis Child, 2004
★ Nonepileptic Seizures patient resource site
'Non-epileptic seizures' are paroxysmal events that mimic an epileptic seizure but do not involve abnormal, rhythmic discharges of cortical neurons.[1] They are caused by either physiological or psychological conditions. The latter is discussed more fully in psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
| Contents |
| Types |
| Misdiagnosis |
| Terminology |
| Causes |
| References |
| Footnotes |
| External links |
Types
''Reflex anoxic seizures'' are a condition of the brain where the child may become pale and limp and cease breathing, only to recover a short time later. Anoxic seizures are caused by a reflex asystole of the heart due to increased vagal responsiveness. They are non-epileptic.
Misdiagnosis
A wide spectrum of phenomena may resemble epileptic seizures, which may lead to people who do not have epilepsy being misdiagnosed. Indeed, a significant percentage of people diagnosed with epilepsy later have this revised. In one study, the majority of children referred to a secondary clinic with "fits, faints and funny turns" did not have epilepsy, with syncope (fainting) as the most common alternative.[2] In another study, 39% of children referred to a tertiary epilepsy centre did not have epilepsy, with staring episodes in mentally retarded children as the most common alternative.[3] In adults, the figures are similar, with one study reporting a 26% rate of misdiagnosis.[4]
Terminology
The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) define an 'epileptic seizure' as "a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain."[5] Epileptic seizures can occur in someone who does not have epilepsy – as a consequence of head injury, drugs, toxins, eclampsia or febrile convulsions, for example.
Medically, when used on its own, the term 'seizure' implies an 'epileptic seizure'. The lay use of this word can also include sudden attacks of illness, loss of control, spasm or stroke. Where the physician is uncertain as to the diagnosis, the medical term 'paroxysmal event' and the lay terms 'spells', 'funny turns' or 'attacks' may be used.
Causes
The various pathophysiological causes include:
★ Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
★ Breath-holding spells of childhood
★ Cataplexy
★ Hyperekplexia, also called 'startle syndrome'
★ Hypoglycemia and associated neuroglycopenia
★ infantile gratification / masturbation (onanism)[6]
★ Migraine
★ Narcolepsy
★ Non-epileptic myoclonus
★ Opsoclonus
★ Parasomnias, including night terrors
★ Paroxysmal kinesiogenic dyskinesia
★ Repetitive or ritualistic behaviours
★ Syncope (fainting)
★ Tics
References
★ Epilepsy Foundation article about non-epileptic seizures
★ National Society for Epilepsy (UK) article on Non-epileptic attack disorder. A slightly more technical article aimed at health professionals.
Footnotes
1. Differential Diagnosis in Adult Neuropsychological Assessment, , , , Springer Publishing Company, 2003, ISBN 0-8261-1665-5
2. Diagnoses made in a secondary care "fits, faints, and funny turns" clinic, Hindley D, Ali A, Robson C, , , Arch Dis Child, 2006 (Free full text online)
3. The misdiagnosis of epilepsy in children admitted to a tertiary epilepsy centre with paroxysmal events, Uldall P, Alving J, Hansen LK, Kibaek M, Buchholt J, , , Arch Dis Child, 2006 (Free full text online)
4. The misdiagnosis of epilepsy and the management of refractory epilepsy in a specialist clinic, Smith D, Defalla BA, Chadwick DW, , , QJM, 1999 (Free full text online)
5. Epileptic seizures and epilepsy: definitions proposed by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE)., Fisher R, van Emde Boas W, Blume W, Elger C, Genton P, Lee P, Engel J, , , Epilepsia, 2005 (Free full text online).
6. Gratification disorder ("infantile masturbation"): a review, Nechay A, Ross LM, Stephenson JB, O'Regan M, , , Arch Dis Child, 2004
External links
★ Nonepileptic Seizures patient resource site
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