"Forgettable" sex: a case of transient global amnesia presenting to the emergency department.
BACKGROUND
Transient global amnesia is characterized by the sudden development of dense anterograde amnesia, without alteration in level of consciousness and in the absence of focal neurologic deficits or seizure activity. Various precipitating causes have been reported in the medical literature.


OBJECTIVE
To present a literature-guided approach to the diagnosis and management of transient global amnesia in the Emergency Department (ED).


METHODS
We report the case of a 54-year-old woman who presented to the ED with an episode of acute memory loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Although rare, transient global amnesia may present in a dramatic fashion. The occurrence of a distinct precipitating event and repetitive questioning seem to be key features in making the diagnosis. Important differential considerations include transient ischemic attack, seizure, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Brain imaging and specialty consultation are reserved primarily for patients with unclear circumstances, altered level of consciousness, focal neurologic findings, and persistent (or very brief) amnestic symptoms. Brain imaging may, however, relieve anxiety about more dangerous causes of the event.
Maloy
Kevin
K
Department of Emergency Medicine, Georgetown University Hospital & Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
Davis
Jonathan E
JE
D020236:Amnesia, Transient Global / Q000209:etiology*; D003075:Coitus; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged