Abnormal Epileptiform Patterns Flashcards
6 cards from real EEG practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Abnormal Epileptiform Patterns flashcards as text
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is characterized by which EEG pattern during wakefulness?
Answer: Slow spike-and-wave complexes at 1.5-2.5 Hz
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome features slow (<3 Hz) generalized spike-and-wave complexes during wakefulness and generalized paroxysmal fast activity during sleep, along with multiple seizure types.
What distinguishes a polyspike-and-wave complex from a single spike-and-wave complex?
Answer: Polyspike-and-wave contains multiple spikes (2 or more) preceding the slow wave component
Polyspike-and-wave complexes contain a burst of two or more spikes before the slow wave, and are particularly associated with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and other generalized epilepsies with myoclonic seizures.
Electrographic seizure activity on EEG is defined by which characteristic evolution?
Answer: Evolving pattern with change in frequency, morphology, or spatial distribution over time
Electrographic seizures are defined by evolution — a progressive change in frequency, amplitude, morphology, and/or spatial distribution over at least 10 seconds, distinguishing them from brief interictal discharges.
Temporal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (TIRDA) is significant because it:
Answer: Has a strong association with temporal lobe epilepsy even in the absence of spikes
TIRDA (temporal intermittent rhythmic delta activity) has a high correlation with temporal lobe epilepsy and is considered an epileptiform-equivalent pattern, even when no spikes or sharp waves are present.
The centrotemporal spikes seen in benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) have which typical characteristic?
Answer: They show a horizontal dipole with negativity at centrotemporal and positivity at frontal electrodes, activated by sleep
BECTS spikes show a characteristic tangential dipole with maximum negativity at C3/C4-T3/T4 and simultaneous positivity at frontal electrodes. They are markedly activated by drowsiness and NREM sleep.
Stimulus-induced rhythmic, periodic, or ictal-looking discharges (SIRPIDs) are important to recognize because they:
Answer: May represent a cortical irritability pattern that mimics seizures but occurs in response to stimulation in critically ill patients
SIRPIDs are rhythmic or periodic patterns triggered by alerting stimuli (suctioning, turning, examination) in critically ill patients. They may mimic seizures but are stimulus-provoked and their treatment significance remains debated.