Neurology Rotation Induces Two Week Absence Seizure in Medical Student

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Previously healthy third year medical student George Richard ìG.Rî Thompson was recently diagnosed with absence seizure disorder.Ý Absence seizures are different from other seizures in that they are manifested as periods of blank staring and are without a rhythmic motor component.ÝÝ This is the first documented case of absence seizures lasting any more than just a few seconds.Ý

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ ìI started having symptoms the first day of my neuro rotation.Ý I talked to my resident in the morning and he told me that heíd page me when something was going on; so I just hung out in the student lounge.Ý I guess thatís when the seizures started,î said Mr. Thompson of his condition.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ These absence seizures were in full view of the students in the lounge.Ý ìIíd walk into the lounge and G.R. would just be sitting there staring at the TV all day long.Ý I didnít think anything of it at first, but in hindsight the diagnosis was obvious,î said fellow classmate James McIntosh.Ý

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Lounge socialite Mary McBride commented ìI like coming into the student lounge throughout the day and talking with whomever is there.Ý While G.R. was on his neurology rotation, he was there the whole time.Ý Whether I came in at 9:00 am, noon or 4:30 pm, he was always just sitting there, seemingly doing nothing.î

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Though most absence seizures last only a few seconds, Mr. Thompsonís episodes would last much longer.Ý ìApparently theyíd start when I walked in every morning and stopped when I would go home for the day at around 5:00pm.Ý Strangely enough I was able to walk to lectures, but I really donít remember anything from them ‚‚ñ probably because of the seizures.î

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ As Mr. Thompson did not have these symptoms prior to the neurology rotation and hasnít had any subsequent episodes, the absence seizures were likely the inductive force of the seizures.Ý ìI think I might have had a little prodrome during the Columbia call for Family Practice, but nothing like I what I experienced for those two weeks while I was on neuro.î

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ These daily episodes of inactivity and inattention were causes for concern, and G.R. Thompson was put through a neurological work-up.Ý Though initially diagnosed as a complication of pregnancy, the final diagnosis of absence seizure was ascertained after an EEG, CT, MRI, and PET scan were performed.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Mr. Thompsonís prognosis is quite good as it seems that his seizure disorder is in complete remission.Ý ìThey told me that all I had to do was avoid the offending stimulus and I should be in the clear.Ý Iíve been pretty good about staying away from neuro, and despite my intensions otherwise I will not be taking any neurology electives my fourth year.î