title: Pseudopseudoseizures: conditions that may mimic psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Video electroencephalography (vEEG) has proven to be a valuable tool in the differentiation of pseudoseizures or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) from epileptic seizures. Clinicians should, however, be aware of a number of conditions that may be misdiagnosed as pseudoseizures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review a number of somatic conditions that can present with disturbances of consciousness and unusual motor activity without epileptiform findings on vEEG.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a young woman who presented with a number of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including episodic posturing and rhythmic movements. The absence of epileptiform findings on vEEG resulted in a diagnosis of conversion disorder with pseudoseizures. She was ultimately diagnosed with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) secondary to an ovarian tumor. AIE and other potential mimics of pseudoseizures are discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A number of somatic conditions can present with symptoms that may be misinterpreted as pseudoseizure.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Creighton University School of Medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA. jason.caplan@chw.edu
authors: Jason P
authors: JP
authors: Caplan
authors: Tracy
authors: T
authors: Binius
authors: Vanda A
authors: VA
authors: Lennon
authors: Sean J
authors: SJ
authors: Pittock
authors: Murali S
authors: MS
authors: Rao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000647:Amnesia / Q000209:etiology; D060426:Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D002819:Chorea / Q000175:diagnosis; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000150:complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis; D020363:Limbic Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis; D014743:Videotape Recording