title: Ictal characteristics of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: what we have learned from video/EEG recordings--a literature review.
abstract: Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are highly prevalent in selected populations, with a strong impact in terms of morbidity and social cost. The gold standard for PNES diagnosis is video/EEG recording of a typical attack. However this technique is costly and not always available. In addition, many patients are treated with antiepileptic drugs for several years before undergoing video/EEG recording. The diagnosis is further complicated by concomitant epileptic seizures in some patients with PNES. Therefore, a good knowledge of PNES semiology is important for early screening of patients for video/EEG recording and for correct interpretation of the examination. We reviewed the literature on video/EEG studies reporting ictal PNES semiology to identify features indicative of psychogenic or epileptic seizures. Several features appeared to be useful in the clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. bmostacci@gmail.com
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mostacci
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bisulli
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alvisi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Licchetta
authors.forename: Agostino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baruzzi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tinuper
mesh_terms: D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014743:Videotape Recording