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drop attack
Etiology:
- atonic seizure
- cataplexy
- vertebrobasilar TIA
- vestibular dysfunction
a) Meniere's disease
b) aminoglycoside toxicity
Clinical manifestations:
- sudden fall to the ground without warning
- generally patient can arise soon after the fall
- no loss of consciousness
- brief confusional state many occur
Differential diagnosis: syncope
Management:
- dependent upon etiology
- seizure work-up if indicated
Related
accidental fall
seizure; epileptic seizure
syncope
General
sign/symptom
References
- Tinuper P et al,
Epileptic drop attack in partial epilepsy: clinical features,
evolution and prognosis.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1998, 64:231
PMID: 9489537
- Welsh LW
Vascular analysis of individuals with drop attacks
Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2004, 113:245
PMID: 15053211
- Lee H et al,
Drop attacks in elderly patients secondary to otologic causes
with Meniere's syndrome or non-Meniere peripheral
vestibulopathy.
J Neurol Sci 2005, 232:71
PMID: 15850585