Authors: P. Bušek; M. Kucharík; J. Fiksa; E. Nešpor Authors‘ workplace: Neurologická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN Praha Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2008; 71/104(6): 722-725 Category: Case Report
We report a case of a patient with recurrent states of confusion which only began at an advanced age. Based on EEG, absence status epilepticus was determined to be the cause of the above states. Judging by the nature of the ictal and interictal EEG finding and a history of absence episodes in childhood and adolescence, this appeared to be a case of primary idiopathic generalised epilepsy. Even though there were no additional absence episodes reported in the patient’s history at a later stage of her life in spite of the fact that she was not on antiepileptic medication, “phantom absence seizures” cannot be excluded judging by interictal EEG results and we assume that we may have to do with a case of idiopathic generalised epilepsy with phantom absences. What is particular in this case is the diagnosis of idiopathic generalised epilepsy made at an advanced age in a geriatric patient.
Key words: absence – ament condition – phantom absences – idiopathic generalised epilepsy – status epilepticus
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