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Diagnosing PNES with Video-EEG Monitoring

Learn how video-EEG monitoring is used to diagnose psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and differentiate them from epileptic seizures. Understand the characteristics and limitations of PNES diagnosis.

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Diagnosing PNES with Video-EEG Monitoring

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  1. Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group Christos Lambrakis M.D.

  2. September 20th, 2014 How is PNES Diagnosed with Video-EEG

  3. PNES • Non-epileptic seizures are episodes that resemble epileptic seizures clinically but are not derived from electrical disturbances.

  4. Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures • Resemble epileptic seizures but lack EEG correlate. • Very common (~25% of patients referred to Video-EEG monitoring for evaluation of intractable epilepsy).

  5. Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures • Psychiatric manifestation • Somatoform/Conversion Disorder (most common) • Unconscious production of physical symptoms due to psychological factors • Factitious Disorder • Consciously determined symptoms driven by a powerful unconsciously determined need. • Malingering • Willful production of symptoms for a specific external incentive. *

  6. Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures • Often difficult to distinguish clinically from epileptic seizures. • Clues: • Resistance to AEDs • Emotional Triggers (stress) • Bilateral clonic movements without loss of consciousness • Absence of post-event confusion/lethargy. • Video-EEG is very helpful in diagnosis.

  7. Electroencephalogram (EEG)

  8. ElectroencephalogramEEG • Represents a record of the small shifting brain electrical potentials from the surface of the brain recorded over the scalp. • As seizures are caused by a disturbance of electrical activity, the EEG is uniquely suited to further our understanding of a patients seizures.

  9. Goals of Video-EEG Monitoring Is it really an epileptic seizure? (Epilepsy vs. non-epileptic events) What type of seizure is it? (Characterize epilepsy type) Where does the seizure originate from? Is it focal? (i.e. does it come from one specific region?)

  10. Electrodes

  11. Inpatient Video-EEG

  12. Outpatient Ambulatory Video-EEG

  13. Routine EEG • Short duration (<1 hour) • Low sensitivity. Events are seldom recorded. • Presence of inter-ictal baseline epileptogenic abnormalities does not confirm or exclude either diagnosis. • Patient with inter-ictal epileptogenic abnormalities can still have PNES. • Patient with normal inter-ictal EEG can still have epilepsy.

  14. Video-EEG Monitoring • Long term inpatient monitoring allows for recording of seizure events. • Clinical and electroencephalographic features can be reviewed aiding in seizure characterization and localization. • Baseline EEG may be helpful in determining risk of future seizures.

  15. Video-EEG Monitoring • Gold standard for differentiating PNES from ES. • Recommended for patients with recurrent episodes despite multiple medication trials. • Goal is to record typical event and document lack of EEG correlate.

  16. Video-EEG Monitoring • Video component can be helpful in documenting movements or behaviors typically incompatible with ES. • Important in verifying that event recorded is representative of events which prompted medical attention. • ** ~20% of patients with PNES also have ES.

  17. Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures • Many clinical patterns: • Migratory motor activity (most common) • Generalized motor activity • Unilateral (less common) • Alteration of awareness (Common) ** Can be difficult to distinguish from frontal lobe seizures.

  18. Non-epileptic Seizures • EEG during PNES can be difficult to interpret. • Movements during an PNES event cause rhythmic artifacts on EEG that look very similar to epileptic seizure activity. • Some epileptic seizures (partial) can be electrically silent on EEG and can be misdiagnosed as PNES.

  19. EEG (Seizure)

  20. Non-epileptic Seizures • Analysis of the clinical semiology of the episodes thru video can be helpful in differentiation between PNES and ES. • ** Definitive diagnosis should not rest solely on clinical observation. Certain types of epileptic seizures (frontal and temporal) can look very similar to a PNES event.

  21. Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures • Characteristics of PNES • Variable responsiveness or preserved awareness. • Out of phase movements of extremities. • Discontinuous motor activity • Pelvic thrusting. • Side to side head movements. • Eye closure/eye flutter

  22. Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures • Characteristics of PNES • Varied character of events • Suggestibility • Emotional triggers • Prompt recovery (Absence of post-ictal state) • Poor response to anti-epileptic medications

  23. Video-EEG MonitoringLimitations • Event may not occur (consider home ambulatory Video-EEG). • Missed PNES diagnosis (EEG over interpreted as ES due to rhythmic artifact). • Incorrect PNES diagnosis (Partial ES may not display electrical abnormalities).

  24. Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures • ~20 % of patients with PNES will also have coexistent epileptic seizures. • Latency between manifestation of PNES and diagnosis is ~ 7years. • Prompt diagnosis is crucial to avoid iatrogenic morbidity (Exposure to unnecessary medication ~80%, Intubation ~50%).

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