title: Diagnosing frontal lobe epilepsy in the ED.
abstract: Frontal lobe seizures are a common form of epilepsy. It has a variable presentation and can often be missed in the emergency department (ED). Missing this diagnosis can lead to a delay in treatment and poor outcome for cognitive function. We hereby present a case of a 14-year-old girl who presented to our ED after the development of abnormal movements. Knowledge of the anatomy behind the development of partial seizures and the best testing modality can aid in the diagnosis. In this review, we attempt to discuss the pathophysiology of frontal lobe epilepsy and what physical examination findings and testing will best lead to a diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. Electronic address: lara.hershcovitch@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D017034:Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000473:pathology*