Effect of meteorological factors and lunar phases on occurrence of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

BACKGROUND: Psychogenicnonepilepticseizures (PNES) lack the abnormal electrographical discharges in electroencephalogram seen in epileptic seizures. The notion of the effects of meteorological factors and lunar phases onoccurrence of seizures in patients with PNES has been the subject of very few research studies and the available evidence in the literature is equivocal. In this study, we aimed to study the influence oflunarphases and meteorological factors on the frequency of PNES and its semiological categories. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients discharged with a diagnosis of PNES from our epilepsy monitoring unit in a 3-year period. The 119 patients who met the inclusion criteria were categorized into hypermotor, hypomotor, or intact sensorium based on semiology of their seizures. The occurrence of PNES, in total and in each semiological category, was correlated with the daily average temperature, atmospheric pressure, and the 4 lunar phases. RESULTS: There were 31.8% and 11.1% more-than-expected captured seizures when the average daily atmospheric pressure was lower or higher, respectively, of what is generally considered a comfortable atmospheric pressure. No consistent relation was found between the full moon phases and occurrence of PNES. CONCLUSION: A significant association between atmospheric pressure and the occurrence of nonepileptic seizures was found, whereas no consistent increase in PNES was observed during the full moon phases. There is still an open debate about the effect of the lunar phases on human behavior and neurological disorders such as PNES.

Comparison of postictal semiology and behavior in psychogenic nonepileptic and epileptic seizures.

BACKGROUND: The available information on postictal semiology and behavior in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizure (PNES) is limited. In this study, we explore the differences in postictal semiology and behavior between patients with epileptic seizure (ES) and PNES and focus on clinical features that may be helpful in differentiating these two conditions. METHODS: In this retrospective study, video-electroencephalograph (video-EEG) of 144 seizures from 64 patients with PNES and 66 seizures from 42 patients with ES were reviewed. Three novel postictal behaviors were compared between the two groups: a) abrupt, brief, and rapid blinking or shaking of the head as if regaining sensorium or "coming out" of the ictal event; b) looking around the room with a scanning and uncertain look; c) posing a question of "what happened?" or a similar question to the others present in the room. In addition, differences in several other postictal characteristics were studied. RESULTS: At least one of the three specific postictal behaviors was seen in 20.1% of patients with PNES but none of the patients with ES resulting in 100% specificity and 36% sensitivity. While mean ictal duration was significantly longer in patients with PNES (175.3 ±â€¯168 s) compared to ES (105.4 ±â€¯102.9 s), the interval between the end of ictal episode and first correct verbal response (74.5 ±â€¯126.2 s versus 139.4 ±â€¯185.4 s), or first followed command (84.1 ±â€¯133.8 s versus 141.1 ±â€¯192.1 s) were shorter. In the group with PNES, 59.7% of patients demonstrated a whispering or altered voice during the first correct verbal response versus 21.2% of patients in the group with ES. The first followed command was slow or erroneous in 49.3% of the patients with PNES and in 19.7% of the patients with ES. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found significant differences between postictal semiology and behavior of patients with PNES and ES that can be helpful tools in distinguishing between these two conditions. Specifically, three novel postictal behaviors were studied and were found to have a high specificity, but low sensitivity, in distinguishing PNES from ES.

Regional determinants for outcome and cost of status epilepticus.

OBJECTIVE: Status epilepticus (SE) requires informed management. Since regional differences exist in practice and outcome, we aimed to characterize the epidemiology of SE and identify the factors associated with cost-effective management at the sole level IV epilepsy center of Central New York (CNY). METHODS: We searched for patients aged 18 years or older admitted at our center's hospitals from February 2018 to November 2019 with the discharge diagnosis of SE. Seventy-seven individuals with definite SE were included. We constructed models to determine the main factors that impact the refractoriness of SE, the clinical outcome, and the estimated cost of hospitalization. RESULTS: The rate of SE-related disability was 20.8% and the all-cause mortality 36.4%. Our analysis showed that initial anti-seizure medication (ASM) choice did not have a significant influence on the clinical outcome; nor did it affect the refractoriness of SE. Likewise, our anesthetic regimen did not alter the disease course or outcome. In line with prior studies, we demonstrated that age carried a negative predictive value to the SE-related disability and mortality (CI95% [-0.02, 0], p < 0.001). Interestingly, we found that use of midazolam (CI95% [-20.8, -0.08], p = 0.05) and anoxic brain injury as the underlying etiology (CI95% [-33.5, -1.59], p = 0.03) were marginally associated with shorter hospitalizations and reduced cost. The latter might reflect the rapidly-deteriorating course of anoxic brain injury, complicated by its higher likelihood of refractoriness (CI95% [0.14, 0.79], p = 0.006), and consequently, the decision to withdraw care. CONCLUSION: Taken together, we described the demographics, management, and prognosis of SE locally and further defined the potential determinants for the cost-effective care. We found that similar to other studies, age was the main determinant factor in prognosis. We also noticed that midazolam usage was associated with shorter hospital stay, suggesting that strategic use of midazolam may reduce the direct cost of management of SE. These findings can be adopted to optimize SE management in CNY.

Recommendations for the Clinician Role in Reducing Gun Violence.

There is a growing need for clear and definitive guidelines to prevent firearm violence in communities across the United States. Recommendations explore the utility and feasibility of universal screenings and recommend utilizing universal screening due to a lack of a clear risk to it. Providers should also work to create risk reduction plans with patients as well. Furthermore, recommendations for mental health care, counseling, and bystander training are made for institutions and their providers.

Intact vs. impaired ictal sensorium: does it affect outcome of psychogenic nonepileptic events following disclosure of diagnosis?

It remains uncertain whether particular ictal manifestations of psychogenic nonepileptic events (PNEE) can reflect distinctive psychological processes or prognostic outcomes. We hypothesize that the integrity of ictal sensorium may affect the clinical outcome of PNEE following disclosure of diagnosis. We prospectively studied 47 veterans who were diagnosed with video-EEG-confirmed PNEE, presented with the diagnosis utilizing a standardized communication strategy, and followed for their clinical progress. When compared to patients with intact ictal sensorium, significantly smaller proportion of patients with impaired ictal sensorium endorsed improvement of either PNEE frequency or intensity across both the initial 1- to 3-month (p=0.005) and ensuing 6- to 9-month (p=0.01) follow-ups. However, improvement among patients with impaired ictal sensorium was more significantly associated with their level of understanding for the PNEE diagnosis across both the initial (rho=0.41, p=0.017) and ensuing (rho=0.43, p=0.015) follow-ups. Our study presents preliminary evidence underscoring the potential clinical significance of ictal sensorial integrity when evaluating patients with PNEE.

Acute psychosis post-COVID-19 pneumonia.

COVID-19 disease can be associated with several health-related consequences that are directly or indirectly related to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Acute psychiatric illnesses in the setting of COVID-19 infection are one of the reported consequences. In this case report, we discuss acute onset of psychosis in a young patient that we believe was related to post-COVID-19 infection. Some findings in the EEG in this patient, we believe, were related to use of antipsychotic medications and that caused challenges in the diagnosis. It is important to be aware of post-COVID-19 psychosis and challenges that may be encountered in the workup.

Utilization of Epilepsy Monitoring Unit by General Neurologists.

Background Epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) is a growing service that allows physicians to evaluate, diagnose, and manage epilepsy in a safe and cost-effective way. However, observations have indicated that the EMU is being underutilized by general neurology practice, possibly due to the lack of access and specific criteria known to all neurologists. There is limited data as of yet to support these observations. This study reviewed the rate of referral to the EMU from outpatient general neurology clinics at our institution. Methods In this retrospective study, records of 350 patients, 18 years or older with a diagnosis or diagnostic workup of epilepsy, managed by neurologists who did not specialize in epilepsy, were reviewed. We classified patients into three groups: ineligible for EMU referral, eligible and referred to EMU, and eligible but not referred to EMU based on six criteria namely characterization, classification, localization, determination of seizure frequency, medication adjustment, and differentiation between seizures and medication side effects. Results Our results demonstrated that 36.7% of patients who did meet the criteria were not referred to EMU. The most common criteria for patient referral in both groups, referred and not referred, was the characterization of seizures as epileptic or functional. Conclusion Our results show that EMU is underutilized by our general neurology clinics. Providing more information and increased awareness about criteria for long-term monitoring in EMU can improve the utility of this valuable tool and would be beneficial to patient care.

Induction of psychogenic nonepileptic events: success rate influenced by prior induction exposure, ictal semiology, and psychological profiles.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether certain preinduction clinical characteristics may influence the success rate of induction. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled and attempted inductions on 51 patients who were suspected to have psychogenic nonepileptic events based on clinical grounds. In addition to careful examination of the reported ictal semiology, we administered a battery of four psychological instruments to our enrolled patients. KEY FINDINGS: We found that among 42 cases of successful induction, 92.9% (n=39) of these cases were successfully induced on the first attempt (i.e., without prior induction exposure). We observed that induction showed significantly higher rate of success in cases that demonstrate: (1) hypermotor ictal semiology (p=0.029); (2) more prevalent self-reporting of uncommon cognitive and affective symptoms (p=0.035); or (3) higher tendency to rely on coping strategies of "instrumental support" (p=0.013) and "active coping" (p=0.027), when compared to noninducible cases. SIGNIFICANCE: Singular administration of placebo induction on preselected patients with these clinical characteristics may reduce costs by shortening video electroencephalography-(EEG) monitoring sessions and improve the diagnostic yield of video-EEG even for patients with very infrequent events.

Characteristics of psychogenic nonepileptic events among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: an association of semiology with the nature of trauma.

Various psychiatric disorders can contribute to psychogenic nonepileptic events (PNEEs), including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We hypothesize that among patients with PNEEs and PTSD, the nature of the traumatic experience leading to PTSD has an association with the clinical manifestations of PNEEs. We found that the presence of PTSD, in general, did not demonstrate significant association with any particular PNEE semiology in a veterans population. However, 11 of 12 (91.7%) subjects with PNEEs and specifically combat-related PTSD showed significant predilection for hypomotor or nonmotor PNEEs, as compared to 5 of 12 (41.7%) subjects with PNEE and non-combat-related PTSD (P=0.027). Between these two subgroups of subjects with PTSD, there were no statistical differences in the rating of service-connected disability for "seizures," presence of psychiatric history other than PTSD, marital status, substance abuse history, and use of antiepileptic drugs. Timely diagnosis of PNEEs can be especially relevant to veterans with combat-related PTSD, whose PNEE manifestations may be subtle and erringly overlooked.

Mutilating acral ulcers: the spectrum of differential diagnosis.

Prominent acral mutilating ulcers can be present in sensorimotor neuropathies. Although diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of neuropathic ulcers, these skin lesions may manifest in nondiabetic neuropathies. The dermatologic abnormalities may even precede the onset of typical neuropathic symptoms, leading to diagnostic confusion. Therefore, a broad differential diagnosis of neurological and systemic disorders should be considered when evaluating patients who have acral skin ulcerations. We report 3 cases of mutilating ulcers associated with nondiabetic neuropathies. The first case is a woman with multiple ulcerations on her forearm, hands, and toes. Her nerve biopsy revealed neuropathy with multiple congophilic deposits consistent with amyloid neuropathy. The second case is a woman with necrotic painless ulcer on her heel. Nerve biopsy in this patient revealed features suggestive of vasculitic neuropathy. The third case is a man with multiple ulcers on his extremities. A sural nerve biopsy in this patient was consistent with leprous neuropathy.

Myeloneuropathic presentation of spinal epidural lipomatosis.

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is accumulation of unencapsulated fat tissue within the epidural space of the spinal canal. The most common cause of SEL is corticosteroid therapy, whereas most of the non-corticosteroid-dependent cases are idiopathic. If unrecognized, it may result in diagnostic confusion with other neuropathic or myelopathic conditions. We report 2 cases of SEL. The first case is of a 30-year-old man who received corticosteroid therapy for an acute and probably immune-mediated demyelinating process. Subsequently, the addition of compressive effects of SEL resulted in diagnostic confusion and initial workup at other centers for spinal cord malignancy and vascular malformation. The patient's symptoms improved after decompression surgery. The second case is of a 63-year-old woman with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus that presented with increasing numbness in the lower extremities. She was initially diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy; however, the presence of myelopathic signs led to further investigation and diagnosis of SEL. Decompression surgery resulted in improvement of symptoms.