Citation

Caplan JP, Binius T, Lennon VA, Pittock SJ, Rao MS. Psychosomatics 2011; 52(6): 501-506.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Creighton University School of Medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.psym.2011.08.004

PMID

22054618

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Video electroencephalography (vEEG) has proven to be a valuable tool in the differentiation of pseudoseizures or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) from epileptic seizures. Clinicians should, however, be aware of a number of conditions that may be misdiagnosed as pseudoseizures. OBJECTIVE: To review a number of somatic conditions that can present with disturbances of consciousness and unusual motor activity without epileptiform findings on vEEG. METHOD: We report a case of a young woman who presented with a number of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including episodic posturing and rhythmic movements. The absence of epileptiform findings on vEEG resulted in a diagnosis of conversion disorder with pseudoseizures. She was ultimately diagnosed with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) secondary to an ovarian tumor. AIE and other potential mimics of pseudoseizures are discussed. RESULTS: A number of somatic conditions can present with symptoms that may be misinterpreted as pseudoseizure.

Language: en