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9 - Seizures

from SECTION II - COMMON NEUROLOGICAL PRESENTATIONS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2009

Kevin M. Kelly
Affiliation:
Associate Professor of Neurology Drexel University College of Medicine
Nick E. Colovos
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sid M. Shah
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
Kevin M. Kelly
Affiliation:
Drexel University, Philadelphia
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Summary

The epileptic seizures are internationally classified into simple partial seizures, complex partial seizures, partial seizures evolving to secondarily generalized seizures, generalized seizures (convulsive or nonconvulsive), myoclonic seizures, clonic seizures, tonic seizures, tonic-clonic seizures and atonic seizures (astatic seizures). The emergency department (ED) management of a patient with a seizure is commonly determined by the cause, type, severity, and frequency of the seizure. Status epilepticus (SE) can be nonconvulsive or convulsive. Convulsive SE is a medical emergency requiring prompt and focused treatment. A benzodiazepine is the first class of drug to be administered in treating SE. Alcohol withdrawal seizures are generalized tonic-clonic convulsions that usually occur within 48 hours after cessation of ethanol ingestion, with a peak incidence between 13 and 24 hours. It is important that the emergency physician knows the state's law regarding restriction of driving privileges for patients who have experienced a seizure.
Type
Chapter
Information
Principles and Practice of Emergency Neurology
Handbook for Emergency Physicians
, pp. 92 - 108
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2003

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References

Adams R D, Victor M, Ropper A H. Principles of Neurology, 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2001
Dohrmann, M L, Cheitlin, M D. Cardiogenic syncope: seizure versus syncope. Neurol Clin. 1986; 4: 549–62Google Scholar
Engel J Jr. Seizures and Epilepsy. Philadelphia, Pa: FA Davis; 1989
Fisher, J H, Patel, T. Guide to antiepileptic agents 2002. CNS News. 2001; 3: 101–7Google Scholar
Wylie E, ed. The Treatment of Epilepsy: Principles and Practice, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2001

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  • Seizures
    • By Kevin M. Kelly, Associate Professor of Neurology Drexel University College of Medicine, Nick E. Colovos, Department of Emergency Medicine Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Edited by Sid M. Shah, Michigan State University, Kevin M. Kelly, Drexel University, Philadelphia
  • Book: Principles and Practice of Emergency Neurology
  • Online publication: 06 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511547256.010
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  • Seizures
    • By Kevin M. Kelly, Associate Professor of Neurology Drexel University College of Medicine, Nick E. Colovos, Department of Emergency Medicine Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Edited by Sid M. Shah, Michigan State University, Kevin M. Kelly, Drexel University, Philadelphia
  • Book: Principles and Practice of Emergency Neurology
  • Online publication: 06 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511547256.010
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Seizures
    • By Kevin M. Kelly, Associate Professor of Neurology Drexel University College of Medicine, Nick E. Colovos, Department of Emergency Medicine Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Edited by Sid M. Shah, Michigan State University, Kevin M. Kelly, Drexel University, Philadelphia
  • Book: Principles and Practice of Emergency Neurology
  • Online publication: 06 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511547256.010
Available formats
×