JLE

Epileptic Disorders

MENU

Video-EEG in syncopal attack due to ocular compression in an adolescent mistreated for epilepsy Volume 9, numéro 2, June 2007

Vidéo

  • Video-EEG in syncopal attack due to ocular compression in an adolescent mistreated for epilepsy

Illustrations

Afficher les illustrations

Auteurs
Epilepsy Unit, Montpellier University Hospital Gui de Chauliac, Department of Cardiology B, Montpellier University Hospital Arnaud de Villeneuve, France, Neurologist, Perpignan

Vasovagal syncope can be confused with epileptic seizure. In this situation, eye compression may be performed during EEG. We present a video-EEG of a patient in whom eye compression produced a typical syncope. Before this recording, the patient had been treated for five years with sodium valproate because of a misdiagnosis of epilepsy. The diagnosis of neurally-mediated syncope was not difficult on the basis of the clinical history, but the reproduction of syncope reinforced the correct diagnosis. Ocular compression is now only indicated in exceptional circumstances and should be performed with precautions. The video of this episode in an adolescent should be of considerable educational value to those who are confronted to diagnostic work-up of transient loss of consciousness.[Published with video sequences]