MIMICS of Epileptic Seizures

Epilepsy is a common condition where sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain cause seizures or fits. There are lots of possible symptoms of epileptic seizures, including uncontrollable shaking or loss of awareness of surroundings. There are many other disorders with symptoms that mimic those of epilepsy, thus accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.

This book is a comprehensive guide to the diagnosis of disorders that may mimic epilepsy.

Divided into 22 sections, each chapter covers a different epilepsy imitator presented as an analytical discourse. A number of case studies are also included.

The book concludes with discussion on the use of EEG (a test that detects electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp) and its potential pitfalls.

Also included, is a chapter dedicated to Sir William Gowers, a British neurologist at the forefront of the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and other neurological disorders (1845-1915).

The text is further enhanced by clinical images and figures.

Key points

• Comprehensive guide to diagnosis of MIMICS of epilepsy
• Covers many different imitators presented as analytical discourse
• Includes discussion on use and potential pitfalls of diagnostic EEG
• Features clinical images and figures as well as a selection of case studies

• CHAPTER 1: Sir William Gowers (1845-1915) and the Borderland of Epilepsy: A Tribute
• CHAPTER 2: Seizure Diagnosis and The Mimics – An Introduction
  • Commentary: A Note on Carotid Sinus Syncope
  • Commentary: Geriatric Seizure Mimics: How to Approach?
• CHAPTER 3: Syncope and Anoxic Seizures: Neurological Perspectives and Evaluation
  • Commentary: Why Are Elderly People More Susceptible to Syncopal Attacks?
• CHAPTER 4: Unusual Seizures – Which May Not Look Like Seizures
  • Commentary: A Note on Ecstatic and Orgasmic Seizures
• CHAPTER 5: Mimics of Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus
• CHAPTER 6: Cerebrovascular Mimics of Epileptic Seizures
  • Commentary: The Three Musketeers: Great Mimickers of Epileptic Seizures
• CHAPTER 7: Migraine and Epilepsy
• CHAPTER 8: Sleep Disorders Mimicking Epileptic Seizures
  • Commentary: Utility of Sleep in Seizure Diagnosis
• CHAPTER 9: Movement Disorders Mimics of Epileptic Seizures
  • Commentary: Epilepsy and Movement Disorders – The Other Side of the Coin and Beyond
  • Commentary: Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures and Psychogenic Movement Disorders – Are They Really Different?
• CHAPTER 10: Endocrine and Metabolic Mimics of Epileptic Seizures
  • Commentary: Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State for The Neurologist
  • Commentary: Hashimoto Encephalopathy – A Diagnosis Not to Be Missed
• CHAPTER 11: Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures
  • Commentary: A Note on The Psychopathology of Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures
  • Commentary: Psychogenic Seizures – Why Women?
  • Commentary: Spell Induction – Pros and Cons
  • Commentary: The Problem of Co-existing Epileptic and Non-Epileptic Seizures
• CHAPTER 12: Hysteria: Changing Concepts on The Nature of the Beast – Through Centuries
• CHAPTER 13: Psychiatric Mimics of Epileptic Seizures - Part 1: Episodic Dyscontrol Syndrome – The Concept
• CHAPTER 14: Psychiatric Mimics of Epileptic Seizures - Part 2: Epilepsy, Rage, Tantrums and Violence
• CHAPTER 15: Mimics of Epileptic Seizures in Pediatric Practice
  • Commentary: Pitfalls in Diagnosis of Epilepsy - Focus on Epilepsies in Children
  • Commentary: Benign Childhood Focal Epilepsies – Their Mimics and Differentials
  • Commentary: Head Drops in Children – Epileptic or Non-epileptic?
• CHAPTER 16: Falls and Drop Attacks in the Elderly
  • Commentary: My Falls – An Introspection
  • Commentary: Drop Attacks in Children – Focus on Orthostasis
• CHAPTER 17: Hyperventilation Syndrome
• CHAPTER 18: Panic Disorders and Epilepsy
  • Commentary: POTS and Panic: How Are They Related and Mimic Epileptic Seizure – A Brief Note
  • Commentary: Ictal Fear (Panic)
• CHAPTER 19: Epilepsy and Vertigo
• CHAPTER 20: Visual Illusions and Hallucinations of Central Origin and their Differentials
• CHAPTER 21: Seizures and Seizure Look Alikes in Multiple Sclerosis
• CHAPTER 22: Utility and Pitfalls of VEEG in Diagnosis of Difficult and Unusual Epileptic Seizures

Ambar Chakravarty MBBS MD FRCS FICP FIAN
Honorary Professor and Head, Department of Neurology at Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, Calcutta, India; Fellow of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of London and Edinburgh, Indian College of Physicians and Indian Academy of Neurology