Download PDF
Semin Neurol 2001; 21(4): 377-390
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-19409
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Polysomnographic Assessment of Spells in Sleep: Nocturnal Seizures Versus Parasomnias

Mark Eric Dyken1 , Thoru Yamada1 , Deborah C. Lin-Dyken2
  • 1Department of Neurology Sleep Disorders Center, University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa and
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, The Center for Disabilities and Development, Children's Hospital of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
02 January 2002 (online)

   Permissions and Reprints
Preview

ABSTRACT

A dilemma can arise when attempting to distinguish a nocturnal seizure from a parasomnia because both phenomena can be characterized by a general increase in motor and autonomic activity with a transient reduction in the level of consciousness. An additional problem is that an accurate clinical diagnosis generally relies heavily on a detailed history. As sleep related disorders occur at a time when the patient is not fully cognizant, polysomnographic analysis can on occasion supplement for the intrinsic paucity of detailed history. Simultaneously, correlating the clinical and polysomnographic analysis immediately prior to, during, and following an event of interest, can be helpful in differentiating nocturnal seizures from parasomnias.

KEYWORD

Polysomnography - digital polysomnography - nocturnal seizures - parasomnias

REFERENCES

  • 1 Thorpy M J, the Diagnostic Classification Steering Committee. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders: Diagnostic and Coding Manual.  Rochester, MN: American Sleep Disorders Association; 1997
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 2 Dement W, Kleitman N. Cyclic variations in EEG during sleep and their relations to eye movements, body motility, and dreaming.  Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol . 1957;  9 673-690
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Rechtschaffen A, Kales A. A Manual of Standardized Terminology, Techniques and Scoring System for Sleep Stages of Human Subjects.  Los Angeles: UCLA Brain Information Service/Brain Research Institute 1968
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 4 Niedermeyer E. Epileptic seizure disorders. In: Niedermeyer E, Lopes da Silva F, eds. Electro-Encephalography: Basic Principles, Clinical Applications and Related Fields 2nd ed. Baltimore: Urban & Schwarzenberg 1987: 405-510
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 5 Klass D W. Electroencephalographic mechanisms of complex partial seizures. In: Penry JK, Daly DD, eds. Complex Partial Seizures and Their Treatment New York: Raven Press 1975: 113-140
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 6 Klass D W, Espinosa R E, Fischer-Williams M. Analysis of concurrent electroencephalographic and clinical events occurring sequentially during partial seizures [abstract].  Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol . 1973;  34 728
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Gastaut H, Broughton R. Epileptic Seizures.  Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas; 1972
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 8 Williamson P D, Spencer D D, Spencer S S, Novelly R A, Mattson R H. Complex partial seizures of frontal lobe origin.  Ann Neurol . 1985;  18 497-504
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Waterman K, Purves S J, Kosaka B, Strauss E, Wada J A. An epileptic syndrome caused by mesial frontal lobe seizure foci.  Neurology . 1987;  37 577-582
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Spencer S S, Spencer D D, Williamson P D, Mattson R H. Sexual automatisms in complex partial seizures.  Neurology . 1983;  33 527-533
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Geyer J D, Payne T A, Carney P R, Aldrich M S. Atlas of Digital Polysomnography. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000
  • 12 Gotman J, Ives J R, Gloor P. Frequency content of EEG and EMG at seizure onset: possibility of removal of EMG artifact by digital filtering.  Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol . 1981;  52 626-639
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Chatrian G E, Bergamini L, Dondey M, Klass D W, Lennox-Buchthal M, Petersen I. A glossary of terms most commonly used by clinical electroencephalographers. In: Cobb WA, ed. Recommendations for the Practice of Clinical Neurophysiology: The International Federation of Societies for Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology Amsterdam: Elsevier 1983: 11-27
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 14 Dyken M E, Yamada T. Approach to the patient with sleep disorders. In: Biller J, ed. Practical Neurology Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven 1993: 83-96
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 15 Dyken M E, Rodnitzky R L. Periodic, aperiodic and rhythmic motor disorders of sleep.  Neurology . 1992 (suppl 6);  42 (68-74)
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Broughton R J. Polysomnography: principles and applications in sleep and arousal disorders. In: Niedermeyer E, Logus da Silva F, eds. Electroencephalography: Basic Principles, Clinical Applications and Related Fields 2nd ed. Baltimore: Urban & Schwarzenberg 1987: 687-724
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 17 Broughton F J. Sleep disorders: disorders of arousal?.  Science . 1968;  159 1070-1078
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 18 Kales A, Soldatos C R, Bixler E O. Hereditary factors in sleep walking and night terrors.  Br J Psychiatry . 1980;  137 111-118
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 19 Dyken M E, Lin-Dyken D C, Yamada T. Diagnosing rhythmic movement disorder with video-polysomnography.  Pediatr Neurol . 1997;  16 37-41
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Duntley S P, Miller J W, Uhles M. EEG findings during episodes of sleep paralysis and cataplexy [abstract].  Neurology . 1995;  (suppl 4) (A433)
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Dyken M E, Yamada T, Lin-Dyken D C, Seaba P, Yeh M. Diagnosing narcolepsy through the simultaneous clinical and electrophysiologic analysis of cataplexy.  Arch Neurol . 1996;  53 456-460
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Schenck C H, Bundlie S R, Ettinger M G, Mahowald M W. Chronic behavioral disorders of human REM sleep: a new category of parasomnia.  Sleep . 1986;  9 293-306
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Dyken M E, Lin-Dyken D C, Seaba P, Yamada T. Violent sleep-related behavior leading to subdural hemorrhage.  Arch Neurol . 1995;  52 318-321
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Ware J C, Rugh J. Destructive bruxism: sleep stage relationship.  Sleep . 1988;  11 172-181
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar