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Syncope or seizure? The diagnostic value of the EEG and hyperventilation test in transient loss of consciousness.

Authors :
Hoefnagels WA
Padberg GW
Overweg J
Roos RA
van Dijk JG
Kamphuisen HA
Source :
Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry [J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry] 1991 Nov; Vol. 54 (11), pp. 953-6.
Publication Year :
1991

Abstract

In a prospective study of consecutive patients (age 15 or over) with transient loss of consciousness 45 patients had a history of seizure and 74 patients had a history of syncope. All patients had an EEG, ECG, laboratory tests and a hyperventilation test and were followed for an average of 14.5 months. Epileptiform activity in the interictal EEG had a sensitivity of 0.40 and a specificity of 0.95 for the diagnosis of a seizure. Epileptiform activity nearly doubled the probability of a seizure in doubtful cases. If no epileptiform activity was found, this probability remained substantially the same. The hyperventilation test had a sensitivity of 0.57 and a specificity of 0.84 for the diagnosis of syncope. A positive test increased the probability of syncope half as much in doubtful cases. A negative test did not exclude syncope. Laboratory tests were not helpful except for an ECG which was helpful in elderly patients.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0022-3050
Volume :
54
Issue :
11
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
1800665
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.54.11.953