Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T15:53:47.871Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Imitators of Epilepsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Robert S. Fisher
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Epilepsy is common, but conditions that imitate epilepsy are even more common. In order to make a correct diagnosis of epilepsy, the clinician must carefully elicit a detailed history of the seizure episode. Realizing the overlap that exists between seizures that define epilepsy and those of other psychiatric conditions can also help in differentiating between epilepsy and an imitator of epilepsy. Deciphering the features of a seizure episode is also key to correct diagnosis.

In this article, the physiological and psychological imitators of epilepsy are described, as well as the features of a seizure episode that should be considered in making a diagnosis. Seizure presentations are also explained followed by a description of common diagnostic pitfalls to avoid.

Type
Feature Articles
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 2 , Issue 6: Imitators of Epilepsy: Diagnostic Dilemmas , June 1997 , pp. 39 - 55
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Hauser, WA, Annegers, JF, Rocca, WA. Descriptive epidemiology of epilepsy: contributions of population-based studies from Rochester, Minnesota. Mayo Clin Proc. 1996;71:576–586.Google Scholar
2.Salinsky, M, Kanter, R, Dasheiff, RM. Effectiveness of multiple EEGs in supporting the diagnosis of epilepsy: an operational curve. Epilepsia. 1987;28:331–334.Google Scholar
3.Fisher, RS. Imitators of Epilepsy. New York, NY: Demos Press; 1994.Google Scholar
4.Kapoor, WN. Workup and management of patients with syncope. Med Clin North Am. 1995;79:1153–1170.Google Scholar
5.Lempert, T. Recognizing syncope: pitfalls and surprises. J R Soc Med. 1996;89:372–375.Google Scholar
6.Gordon, N. The long Q-T syndromes. Brain Dev. 1994;16: 153–155.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Brown, RD Jr, Evans, BA, Wiebers, DO, Petty, GW, Meissner, I, Dale, AJ. Transient ischemic attack and minor ischemic stroke: an algorithm for evaluation and treatment. Mayo Clinic Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases. Mayo Clin Proc. 1994;69:1027–1039.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Frederiks, JA. Transient global amnesia. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 1993;95:265–283.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Sandson, TA, Price, BH. Transient global amnesia. Semin Neurol. 1995;15:183–187.Google Scholar
10.Solomon, S. Migraine diagnosis and clinical symptomatology. Headache. 1994;34(suppl):S8–S12.Google Scholar
11.Comi, RJ. Approach to acute hypoglycemia. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 1993;22:247–262.Google Scholar
12.Marks, V. Recognition and differential diagnosis of spontaneous hypoglycemia. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1992;37:309–316.Google Scholar
13.Yousaf, F, Sedgwick, P. Sleep disorders. Br J Hosp Med. 1996;55:353–358.Google Scholar
14.Guilleminault, C, Gelb, M. Clinical aspects and features of cataplexy. Adv Neurol. 1995;67:65–77.Google ScholarPubMed
15.Schenck, CH, Bundlie, SR, Ettinger, MG, Mahowald, MW. Chronic behavioral disorders of human REM sleep: a new category of polysomnias. Sleep. 1986;9:273–308.Google Scholar
16.Anouti, A, Koller, WC. Diagnostic testing in movement disorders. Neurol Clin. 1996;14:169–182.Google Scholar
17.Tolosa, E, Berciano, J. Choreas, hereditary and other ataxias, tics, myoclonus, and other movement disorders. Curr Opin Neurol Neurosurg. 1993;6:358–368.Google Scholar
18.Pompei, P, Foreman, M, Cassel, CK, Alessi, C, Cox, D. Detecting delirium among hospitalized older patients. Arch Intern Med. 1995;155:301–307.Google Scholar
19.Lesser, RP. Psychogenic seizures. Neurology. 1996;46:1499–1507.Google Scholar
20.Fisher, RS, Chan, DW, Bare, M, Lesser, RP. Capillary prolactin measurement for diagnosis of seizures. Ann Neurol. 1991;29:187–190.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21.Devinsky, O, Fisher, R. Ethical use of placebos and provocative testing in diagnosing nonepileptic seizures. Neurology. 1996;47:866–870.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22.Agras, WS. The diagnosis and treatment of panic disorder. Annu Rev Med. 1993;44:39–51.Google Scholar
23.Stahl, SM, Soefje, S. Panic attacks and panic disorder: the great neurologic imposters. Semin Neurol. 1995;15:126–132.Google Scholar
24.Evans, RW. Neurologic aspects of hyperventilation syndrome. Semin Neurol. 1995;15:115–125.Google Scholar
25.Elliott, FA. Neurology of aggression and episodic dyscontrol. Semin Neurol. 1990;10:303–312.Google Scholar
26.Clore, ER, Hibel, J. The parasomnias of childhood. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. 1993;7:12–16.Google Scholar
27.Llorente, MD, Currier, MB, Norman, SE, Mellman, TA. Night terrors in adults: phenomenology and relationship to psychopathology. J Clin Psychiatry. 1992;53:392–394.Google Scholar
28.Breningstall, GN. Breath-holding spells. Pediatr Neurol. 1996;14:91–97.Google Scholar
29.Sheeby, B, Little, S, Stone, J. Abdominal epilepsy. J Pediatr. 1960;56:355–365.Google Scholar
30.Blum, DE, Eskola, J, Bortz, JJ, Fisher, RS. Patient awareness of seizures. Neurology. 1996;47:260–264.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed