Mini Review - (2020) Volume 11, Issue 5
Anna Voitiuk1*, T. Litovchenko1 and ÃÂâ. Markova2
1Department of Neurology, Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kharkiv, Ukraine
2Kharkiv Railway Clinical Hospital No. 1 of Branch of HC, JSC, Ukrzaliznytsia, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Corresponding Author:
Anna Voitiuk
Kharkov Department of Neurology,
Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education,
Kharkiv, Ukraine
Tel: +380509081085
E-mail: a_vojtyuk@yahoo.com
Received: June 13, 2020; Accepted: August 20, 2020; Published: August 27, 2019
Citation:Voitiuk A, Litovchenko T, Markova ÃÂâ (2020) Non-Epileptic Paroxysmal States in Epilepsy. J Neurol Neurosci Vol.11 No.5:330
Differential diagnosis of epileptic and non-epileptic paroxysmal disorders is one of the most difficult diagnostic problems in Epileptology. A frequent combination of epileptic and non-epileptic seizures in a patient makes the diagnosis particularly difficult. As a rule, 30% of patients with verified epilepsy have non-epileptic seizures as well (both psychogenic and organic ones). Non-epileptic paroxysmal events may mimic epilepsy. The duration, place, timing of the attacks, and state of conciousness may confuse pediatricians about the diagnosis of epilepsy and non epileptic paroxysmal events.
Commentary
Differential diagnosis of epileptic and non-epileptic paroxysmal disorders is one of the most difficult diagnostic problems in Epileptology. A frequent combination of epileptic and nonepileptic seizures in a patient makes the diagnosis particularly difficult. As a rule, 30% of patients with verified epilepsy have non-epileptic seizures as well (both psychogenic and organic ones). Non-epileptic paroxysmal events may mimic epilepsy. The duration, place, timing of the attacks, and state of conciousness may confuse pediatricians about the diagnosis of epilepsy and non-epileptic paroxysmal events [1-4].
Differential diagnoses of paroxysmal event may include:
• Syncope
• Cardiogenic
• Cough
• Migraine (confusional): Time of course is usually longer than most complex partial seizures; EEG is normal during event.
• Metabolic disorders: Hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and rapid sodium shifts can all cause non-epileptic seizures.
• Paroxysmal vertigo
• GER in infancy/childhood: Some patients may have actual seizures due to anoxia when the child aspirates. More commonly, they have chewing, mouthing movements when refluxing that look like complex partial seizures. This is easily distinguished using EEG and pH probe monitoring and resolves with anti-reflux medications. May patients also have arching with torticollis and dystonic posturing due to reflux, particularly observed in neurologically abnormal children (Sandifer's syndrome).
The symptoms of epileptic seizures are diverse. As a result, disorders that might be considered in the differential diagnosis will vary depending on the patient's specific clinical presentation. Clearly, not all of these disorders are considered in any one patient. Nonepileptic paroxysmal events that can be mistaken for epilepsy also differ significantly by age group.
The purpose of the study is to determine the frequency and nature of non-epileptic paroxysms in patients with long-term epilepsy.
The studies were conducted on the basis of the analysis of clinical symptoms and instrumental studies. EEG, EEG-video monitoring and MRI were used as the screening methods.
The analysis of the data of 300 patients aged 20 to 65 with verified epilepsy revealed that in 78 patients with long-term epilepsy some paroxysmal non-epileptic states were observed: conversion, abstinence paroxysms, syncope conditions, panic attacks, sleep disorders [5,6].
In patients aged 18 to 25 conversion paroxysms (5 persons, 6%) and sleep disorders (4 persons, 5%) prevailed. Young aged patients (25 to 44 years) had paroxysmal states (30 persons, 39%), insomnia (8 persons, 10%) and abstinence paroxysms (8 persons, 10%). For the patients aged 45 to 60 panic attacks (23 people, 30%) were more common.
In patients with syncope condition the EEG revealed some bilaterally synchronous flashes of theta waves on the background of the dominant alpha-rhythm.
In patients with panic attacks, along with routine EEG, EEG-video monitoring was also carried out. The EEG-video monitoring showed certain strengthening of hemispheric asymmetry, alpha rhythm index decrease and increase in beta-1 rhythm in the right hemisphere which was more pronounced in the frontal and temporal leads.
Long-term epilepsy can lead to the development of non-epileptic paroxysmal states which, on the one hand, aggravate the disease and, on the other, make the diagnosis of "epilepsy" disputable. Misdiagnosis of epilepsy often has disastrous consequences for patients resulting in the restriction of social activity and incorrect treatment.
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