Seizure

Seizure Differentials

• Epilepsy (first diagnosis or known)

  • First Diagnosis

  • Poor absorption 

    • Poor compliance

    • Diarrhoea, vomiting - sepsis

• Secondary to Central Nervous System pathology

  • • Meningo-encephalitis

    • Brain cancer- primary or metatsatic

    • Vascular- SAH, stroke (ischaemic/ haemorrhagic), haematoma (subdural, epidural)

    • Neurocysticercosis- paraiste, commonest cause worldwide

• Toxins

  • • Alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal

Med Reg Notes

Defining Diagnosis

Presentation: Loss of consciousness -> Seizure -> Subdural Haematoma

Personally, seizure isn't a presentation because it requires a healthcare assessment to diagnose this from the history, the presentation is loss of consciousness, because this can be identified reliably at triage. Seizure is a diagnosis because it dictates acute management, but isn't because its cause dictates the comprehensive management. 

Written in 2025