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atonic seizure
Etiology:
- see drop attack
Clinical manifestations:
1) sudden loss of postural tone without warning
2) may result in a fall
3) extremely short in duration (a few seconds)
4) consciousness may or may not be lost
5) no postictal state
Differential diagnosis:
- cataplexy
- vertebrobasilar ischemia
- vestibular disorder
Management:
1) agents of choice
- valproate (Depakote)
2) Alternative agents
- phenobarbital
General
primary generalized seizure
References
- Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders,
Philadelphia, 1996, pg 1034-35
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 18,
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2018