title: Gestural automatisms during syncope related to cervical malignancy.
abstract: Cervical malignancies are a rare but well-known cause of syncope. Gestural automatisms during syncope have only rarely been reported. We describe a patient presenting with bimanual automatisms during syncopal episodes caused by parapharyngeal carcinoma involving the right laterocervical region. Ictal phenomenology was strongly suggestive of focal seizures and only video-polygraphic recording including EEG and ECG allowed the correct diagnosis to be established. Syncopal episodes ceased after partial removal of the mass. Although gestural automatisms in the context of a sudden spell with loss of consciousness are strongly suggestive of focal (mainly frontal or temporal) seizures, the diagnosis of syncope must be taken in account and confirmed or excluded by appropriate neurophysiological investigations.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gasparini
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferlazzo
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cianci
authors.forename: Cinzia Grazia
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vazzana
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Africa
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garozzo
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Aguglia
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001332:Automatism / Q000209:etiology*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000150:complications; D013575:Syncope / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed