Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures: A Case Report

Psychogenic non-epileptiform seizures (PNES) are a common condition that affects over 400,000 individuals within the United States. PNES are a challenging entity in modern medicine, for they are located at the interface between neurology and psychiatry regarding clinical presentation and pathophysiology. The experiences and symptomatology of the patients resemble those associated with epileptic seizure activity, however many patients present with co-occurring psychiatric comorbidity. A combination of video-electroencephalography and a concise, welldocumented clinical history of the event helps in a definitive clinical diagnosis of PNES. Measuring the levels of serum prolactin may prove useful as an adjunctive laboratory test in diagnosing PNES. Management of PNES involves prompt patient education regarding the condition and treating the psychiatric comorbidity as well. A combined approach of both psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions helps in the optimal treatment of PNES.

2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 475-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Engel ◽  
Michael Butler ◽  
Joseph Anain

Leiomyosarcoma is a very rare malignant tumor, with only 28 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. The prognosis varies, with average 5-year survival of 65%. Although most leiomyosarcomas occur in the lower extremity, there is a paucity in the literature on these sarcomas in the foot. Only 15 cases of leiomyosarcoma in the foot have been reported in the literature since the mid-1930s. We describe a 31-year-old man with a history of an ingrown toenail and nonhealing pyogenic granuloma. His clinical presentation suggested atypical tissue. Biopsy findings confirmed the diagnosis of spindle cell sarcoma, specifically, leiomyosarcoma. The patient was treated with amputation of the affected hallux and adjuvant therapy. The similar presentations of a pyogenic granuloma and a malignant tumor necessitate a thorough differential diagnosis with even common foot ailments. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 97(6): 475–479, 2007)


Neurosurgery ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. E1332-E1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Altinörs ◽  
Tarkan Calisaneller ◽  
Salih Gülşen ◽  
Özlem Özen ◽  
Önder Öngürü

Abstract OBJECTIVE The most common localization of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNTs) is the supratentorial cortex, often in the temporal lobe. However, intraventricular localization of a DNT is extremely rare. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 30-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of epileptic seizures. The seizures had not been controlled despite standard doses of antiepileptics. INTERVENTION Neuroimaging results demonstrated a lesion located in the occipital horn of the right lateral ventricle. The lesion was totally removed. Based on histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation, a DNT was diagnosed. Over the course of the next 8 months, the patient's epileptic seizures were under control. The most recent neuroimaging examinations revealed neither residual nor recurrent tumor. CONCLUSION Because DNTs are surgically curable and neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy is required after surgery, recognition of an intraventricular DNT in this location is extremely important.


Author(s):  
Zhanna Gerlovina

This chapter is devoted to the detailed assessment of the trait vulnerability component of imminent suicide risk. Demographic, clinical historic, biological, and cultural aspects of trait vulnerability are discussed in dedicated sections. The demographics section includes age, gender, ethnicity, and LGBT issues. The clinical history section addresses history of mental illness, history of suicide attempts, childhood trauma, parenting style, and attachment style. The biological traits section describes impulsivity, hopelessness and pessimism, perfectionism, fearlessness, and pain insensitivity. The cultural section includes cultural attitudes, immigration, moral philosophy and religious objections or lack thereof, regional affiliation within the United States, suicide in the family, suicide exposure, and suicide clusters. The chapter concludes with case examples and a test case.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Valentina Arnao ◽  
Marianna Riolo ◽  
Brigida Fierro ◽  
Paolo Aridon

We describe a case of epileptic seizures occurring after the use of a COX-2 inhibitor. A 61-year-old man was admitted to our department because of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. EEG showed generalized slowdown of the activity. Neuroimaging and blood samples studies did not evidence alterations, but a careful pharmacological history revealed that the patient had taken the COX-2 inhibitor etoricoxib to treat lumbago few days before the onset of clinical symptoms. No seizures were reported after etoricoxib discontinuation and an EEG resulted to be normal two months after this. Conclusion. Knowing the pharmacological history of a patient is important for understanding the clinical presentation and selecting appropriate treatment. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported case of generalized seizures associated with the use of COX-2 inhibitors.


SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A466-A466
Author(s):  
Hamed Ali ◽  
Suzanne Stevens

Abstract Introduction Sleep associated seizures especially Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy (NFLE) represents a spectrum of challenging clinical manifestations presenting as complex nocturnal movements/behaviors, making the diagnosis often difficult. Report of Case A 64 y/o male, with history of ongoing complex movements occurring during his sleep, with no history of strokes or neurological deficits. Had extensive neurologic workup (all negative) including routine electroencephalogram (EEG), prolonged inpatient EEG (12 hours), and MRI of the brain. Home sleep study showing moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) AHI 24/hour successfully treated with CPAP therapy (residual AHI 1.7/hour) with improved nighttime symptoms initially. Wife recalls events as happening only at night while sleep, as patient often confused upon waking up in the morning, at times appear to sit up and smack his lips. No nighttime hallucinations, sleep paralysis, or acting out dreams were reported. Had two episodes associated with tongue biting and loss of bladder control. Another episode happened after a daytime nap, patient went outside and was mowing his lawn, went “completely blank “, appeared confused. No daytime or nighttime seizures were ever noticed. Patient do not recall any of the above events. Repeat EEG was normal. MRI/MRA of the head /neck showed small tiny focus in left frontoparietal lobe, suggesting remote cortical ischemic injury. Polysomnography (PSG) with seizure montage showed Interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) foci recorded in the frontal/frontopolar leads without accompanying body movements. Interictal spike and wave activity seen during stage N2. Initially treated with carbamazepine (had skin reaction) switched to levetiracetam with complete resolution of his symptoms. Conclusion This case illustrates the importance of reviewing the clinical history, behavior semiology, and diagnostic ancillary testing such as polysomnography with EEG monitoring in distinguishing nocturnal epileptic seizures from other nocturnal complex behavior disorders and parasomnias.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kei Murao ◽  
Shuji Arakawa ◽  
Yoshihiko Furuta ◽  
Masahiro Shijo ◽  
Tetsuro Ago ◽  
...  

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has a broad spectrum of clinical presentation compared to arterial etiology. Seizure is one of the common symptoms and is more frequent than in other stroke types. Hence, transient neurological symptoms in CVT patients are usually due to epileptic seizures, while transient repetitive movement disorder is extremely rare except as a complication of epilepsy. We report a case of CVT in the superior sagittal sinus with a 1-year history of paroxysmal kinetic tremor without evident epilepsy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 312-315
Author(s):  
Robert Edward Hogan ◽  
Zachary Grinspan ◽  
Erika Axeen ◽  
Belinda Marquis ◽  
B. Keith Day

There are an increasing number of clinical studies for COVID-19, with several large cohort studies documenting initial signs and symptoms. Realizing the need for current information, this summary provides a focused summary of pertinent clinical diagnostic information about neurological involvement of SARS-CoV-2 virus and clinical presentation of COVID-19, especially in relationship to patients with seizures and epilepsy. There is no evidence from cohort studies in the general population that seizures are worsened in COVID-19. However, relative lack of cohort studies in patients with a history of epileptic seizures limit conclusions about effects of COVID-19 patients with epilepsy. Overall, findings indicate seizures and epilepsy are rare, especially in mild COVID-19 cases, but may occur in more severe cases later in the disease course. Caregivers should be vigilant in assessing for possible seizures, especially in patients with systemic effects of severe COVID-19 infections.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chester K. Yarbrough ◽  
Rory K. J. Murphy ◽  
Wilson Z. Ray ◽  
Todd J. Stewart

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) refers to impaired function of the spinal cord caused by degenerative changes of the cervical spine resulting in spinal cord compression. It is the most common disorder in the United States causing dysfunction of the spinal cord. A literature review of the natural history of mild cervical myelopathy is undertaken. Clinical presentation and current concepts of pathophysiology are also discussed. While many patients with mild signs of CSM will stabilize or improve over time with conservative treatment, the clinical course of a specific individual patient cannot be predicted. Asymptomatic patients with cervical stenosis and abnormalities on electrophysiologic studies may be at higher risk for developing myelopathy.


Book ReviewsFlorence Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing and Notes on Nursing for the Labouring Classes: Commemorative Edition With Historical CommentaryFlorence Nightingale at First HandNotes on Nightingale: The Influence and Legacy of a Nursing IconGender and the Making of Modern Medicine in Colonial EgyptPrescribed Norms: Women and Health in Canada and the United States Since 1800Nursing and Women’s Labour in the Nineteenth Century: The Quest for IndependenceHealth and Medicine on Display: International Expositions in the United States, 1876–1904Go, and Do Thou Likewise: A History of the Cornell University–New York Hospital School of Nursing, 1877–1979War’s Waste: Rehabilitation in World War I AmericaAmerican Catholic Hospitals: A Century of Changing Markets and MissionsAmerican Nursing: A History of Knowledge, Authority, and the Meaning of WorkA Voice for Nurses: A History of the Royal College of Nursing, 1916–1990Nurses’ Voices: Memories of Nursing at St. George’s Hospital, London, 1930–1990The Politics of Motherhood: Maternity and Women’s Rights in Twentieth-Century ChileGet Me Out: A History of Childbirth From the Garden of Eden to the Sperm BankPermeable Walls: Historical Perspectives on Hospital and Asylum VisitingThe Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases From a State Hospital AtticA Contemporary History of the U.S. Army Nurse CorpsNurse: Past, Present and Future: The Making of Modern NursingFreed to Care, Proud to Nurse: 100 Years of the New Zealand Nurses OrganisationNursing the Finest Art: An Illustrated History (Third Edition)Celebrating Nurses: A Visual History

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-256
Author(s):  
Lynn McDonald ◽  
Hibba Abugideiri ◽  
Cheryl Krasnick Warsh ◽  
Sue Hawkins ◽  
Julie K. Brown ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-150
Author(s):  
Tanya Shilina-Conte

This article advances mutism as a creative mode and conceptual tool to treat silence in cinema. Whereas mutism can be a productive concept for the study of auditory and visual absence in a broader theoretical framework, my focus here is on the silence of film characters. Drawing on correspondences between the critical and the clinical in Gilles Deleuze’s writing, I argue that adopting mutism as a tool of film-philosophy permits us to supersede traditional film analysis and examine silence not as an interpretive condition at the level of the plot but as a critical-clinical mode of experimentation related to the symptomatology of life. After presenting a brief clinical history of “elective” and “selective” mutism, I then draw on the suppressed understanding of “elective mutism”. I demonstrate that “elective mutism”, which might appear to be a negative and powerless disorder in its clinical presentation, transforms itself into an affirmative and empowering (dis)order that inspires creative experimentation in cinema. In postwar films with mute protagonists, such as Ingmar Bergman’s Persona (1960), “elective mutism” engenders a negative mode of existence in its symptomatology, which can be analysed according to the tenets of Theodor W. Adorno’s philosophy of negativity. By contrast, Deleuze’s philosophy of affirmativity and the concept of minor cinema allow for a renewed positive examination of “elective mutism” in more recent films with silent characters, such as Elia Suleiman’s Palestinian quartet (1996; 2002; 2009; 2019). Approaching minor cinema as both a cinema of experimentation and minoritarian cinema, I contend that in films made by minorities mutism becomes more pronouncedly “elective” in an affirmative sense. As a mode of protest and resistance, “elective mutism” is not only a rejection of the present status quo but also an expression of futurity. Finally, I maintain that the concept of “elective mutism” can relate to and stimulate the discussion of many contemporary sociopolitical phenomena.


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