DOHA: The complexities of accurately diagnosing a patient’s first seizure was discussed at the latest segment of Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar’s (WCM-Q)Grand Rounds.
Dr Basim Uthman, Professor of Clinical Neuroscience, WCM-Q, explained that epilepsy is one of many causes of seizures and that there are different epilepsy syndromes, which makes accurate diagnosis and treatment a complex task requiring clinical expertise in the field.
Speaking to an audience of physicians, researchers, students and healthcare professionals, he said, “There are many variables that must be considered to reach an accurate diagnosis following a first seizure, which is why it is important to see a neurology specialist if a seizure has occurred. It is important to note that not all seizures are the result of epilepsy and a few conditions such as sleep disorders and syncope may mimic epilepsy and present with seizure-like symptoms like impaired awareness, loss of consciousness and unusual behaviours and responses.
“For instance, seizures might be caused by something fairly easy to treat, like low blood sugar, very low sodium, severe dehydration or calcium deficiency. Once those conditions are corrected, seizures will not recur.
“Seizures could be caused by one of several forms of epilepsy syndromes, each of which has subtly different causes and symptoms. We have to take detailed patient histories, perform a wide range of tests and analyse results carefully to make a diagnosis and determine the best treatment.”
Dr Uthman is Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Neurology, and Director of Neurology Clerkship, WCM-Q and a practising neurology consultant at Hamad Medical Corporation.
He said epilepsy could be the result of inborn genetic abnormalities in the brain, metabolic disorders, brain injuries caused by trauma, or brain damage caused by aneurysm, stroke, oxygen deprivation or a brain tumour, among other things.
“The wide range of symptoms and etiologies (causes) make diagnosis very complex, but the good news is that modern testing and brain imaging technology is extremely sophisticated, allowing neurology specialists to make very accurate diagnoses. We can often control epilepsy using medications, and in children there is often a good chance they will grow out of the condition as they get older and their brain develops,” he added.
The Peninsula
DOHA: The complexities of accurately diagnosing a patient’s first seizure was discussed at the latest segment of Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar’s (WCM-Q)Grand Rounds.
Dr Basim Uthman, Professor of Clinical Neuroscience, WCM-Q, explained that epilepsy is one of many causes of seizures and that there are different epilepsy syndromes, which makes accurate diagnosis and treatment a complex task requiring clinical expertise in the field.
Speaking to an audience of physicians, researchers, students and healthcare professionals, he said, “There are many variables that must be considered to reach an accurate diagnosis following a first seizure, which is why it is important to see a neurology specialist if a seizure has occurred. It is important to note that not all seizures are the result of epilepsy and a few conditions such as sleep disorders and syncope may mimic epilepsy and present with seizure-like symptoms like impaired awareness, loss of consciousness and unusual behaviours and responses.
“For instance, seizures might be caused by something fairly easy to treat, like low blood sugar, very low sodium, severe dehydration or calcium deficiency. Once those conditions are corrected, seizures will not recur.
“Seizures could be caused by one of several forms of epilepsy syndromes, each of which has subtly different causes and symptoms. We have to take detailed patient histories, perform a wide range of tests and analyse results carefully to make a diagnosis and determine the best treatment.”
Dr Uthman is Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Neurology, and Director of Neurology Clerkship, WCM-Q and a practising neurology consultant at Hamad Medical Corporation.
He said epilepsy could be the result of inborn genetic abnormalities in the brain, metabolic disorders, brain injuries caused by trauma, or brain damage caused by aneurysm, stroke, oxygen deprivation or a brain tumour, among other things.
“The wide range of symptoms and etiologies (causes) make diagnosis very complex, but the good news is that modern testing and brain imaging technology is extremely sophisticated, allowing neurology specialists to make very accurate diagnoses. We can often control epilepsy using medications, and in children there is often a good chance they will grow out of the condition as they get older and their brain develops,” he added.
The Peninsula
