Evaluation of the Adult Pt with a Seizure - Flowchart
Evaluation of the Adult Pt with a Seizure - Flowchart
«Flowchart»

Adult Patient with a Seizure

Adult Patient with a Seizure

Adult Patient with a Seizure

Adult Patient with a Seizure


History
Physical examination
Exclude


Syncope
Transient ischemic attack
Migraine
Acute psychosis
Other causes of episodic cerebral dysfunction


History
Physical examination
Exclude


Syncope
Transient ischemic attack
Migraine
Acute psychosis
Other causes of episodic cerebral dysfunction


History
Physical examination
Exclude


Syncope
Transient ischemic attack
Migraine
Acute psychosis
Other causes of episodic cerebral dysfunction


History
Physical examination
Exclude


Syncope
Transient ischemic attack
Migraine
Acute psychosis
Other causes of episodic cerebral dysfunction


Syncope
Transient ischemic attack
Migraine
Acute psychosis
Other causes of episodic cerebral dysfunction

Assess: adequacy of antiepileptic therapy


Side effects
Serum levels

Assess: adequacy of antiepileptic therapy


Side effects
Serum levels

Assess: adequacy of antiepileptic therapy


Side effects
Serum levels


Side effects
Serum levels

Laboratory studies


CBC
Electrolytes, calcium, magnesium
Serum glucose
Liver and renal function tests
Urinalysis
Toxicology screen

Laboratory studies


CBC
Electrolytes, calcium, magnesium
Serum glucose
Liver and renal function tests
Urinalysis
Toxicology screen

Laboratory studies


CBC
Electrolytes, calcium, magnesium
Serum glucose
Liver and renal function tests
Urinalysis
Toxicology screen


CBC
Electrolytes, calcium, magnesium
Serum glucose
Liver and renal function tests
Urinalysis
Toxicology screen

Consider


CBC
Electrolytes, calcium, magnesium
Serum glucose
Liver and renal function tests
Urinalysis
Toxicology screen

Consider


CBC
Electrolytes, calcium, magnesium
Serum glucose
Liver and renal function tests
Urinalysis
Toxicology screen

Consider


CBC
Electrolytes, calcium, magnesium
Serum glucose
Liver and renal function tests
Urinalysis
Toxicology screen


CBC
Electrolytes, calcium, magnesium
Serum glucose
Liver and renal function tests
Urinalysis
Toxicology screen

Treat identifiable metabolic abnormalities
Assess cause of neurologic change

Treat identifiable metabolic abnormalities
Assess cause of neurologic change

Treat identifiable metabolic abnormalities
Assess cause of neurologic change


Further work-up


Lumbar puncture
Cultures
Endocrine studies
CT
MRI if focal features present

Further work-up


Lumbar puncture
Cultures
Endocrine studies
CT
MRI if focal features present

Further work-up

Further work-up


Lumbar puncture
Cultures
Endocrine studies
CT
MRI if focal features present


Lumbar puncture
Cultures
Endocrine studies
CT
MRI if focal features present

MRI scan and EEG

MRI scan and EEG

MRI scan and EEG

Appropriate increase or resumption of dose

Appropriate increase or resumption of dose

Appropriate increase or resumption of dose

Increase antiepileptic therapy to maximum tolerated dose; consider alternative antiepileptic drugs

Increase antiepileptic therapy to maximum tolerated dose; consider alternative antiepileptic drugs

Increase antiepileptic therapy to maximum tolerated dose; consider alternative antiepileptic drugs

Treat underlying metabolic abnormality

Treat underlying metabolic abnormality

Treat underlying metabolic abnormality

Focal features of seizures
Focal abnormalities on clinical or lab examination
Other evidence of neurologic dysfunction

Focal features of seizures
Focal abnormalities on clinical or lab examination
Other evidence of neurologic dysfunction

Focal features of seizures
Focal abnormalities on clinical or lab examination
Other evidence of neurologic dysfunction



Consider: Antiepileptic therapy

Consider: Antiepileptic therapy

Consider: Antiepileptic therapy

Consider: Mass lesion; stroke; CNS infection; trauma; degenerative disease

Consider: Mass lesion; stroke; CNS infection; trauma; degenerative disease

Consider: Mass lesion; stroke; CNS infection; trauma; degenerative disease

Idiopathic seizures

Idiopathic seizures

Idiopathic seizures

Treat underlying disorder

Treat underlying disorder

Treat underlying disorder

Consider: Antiepileptic therapy

Consider: Antiepileptic therapy

Consider: Antiepileptic therapy

Consider: Antiepileptic therapy

Consider: Antiepileptic therapy

Consider: Antiepileptic therapy

End

End

End

Normal

Normal

Normal

Abnormal or change in neurologic exam

Abnormal or change in neurologic exam

Abnormal

Subtherapeutic antiepileptic levels

Subtherapeutic antiepileptic levels

Subtherapeutic

Therapeutic antiepileptic levels

Therapeutic antiepileptic levels

Therapeutic

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

History of epilepsy; currently treated with antiepileptics

History of epilepsy; currently treated with antiepileptics

History of epilepsy

No history of epilepsy

No history of epilepsy

No history of epilepsy

Positive metabolic screen or symptoms/signs suggesting a metabolic or infectious disorder

Positive metabolic screen or symptoms/signs suggesting a metabolic or infectious disorder

Positive metabolic screen

Negative metabolic screen

Negative metabolic screen

Negative metabolic screen