Palpitations caused by a Seizure with Autonomic Features
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2013, Vol 13, Issue 2
Abstract
Palpitations are a common symptom of presentation in medical practice. Tey are usually caused by cardiac arrhythmias, psychiatric problems or other miscellaneous causes, such as anaemia or endocrine causes. Tey are rarely due to autonomic seizures. We report a 55-year-old woman who presented at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, with recurrent episodes of palpitations. Her associated symptoms included breathlessness and excessive sweating, followed by a sensation of dizziness. During subsequent episodes, she experienced symptoms of rising abdominal pain followed by a loss of consciousness. Positive electroencephalogram fndings, as well as the response of the symptoms to antiepileptic drugs, were strongly suggestive of temporal lobe epilepsy as the possible diagnosis. Te fact that the cardiac investigations, performed during an interictal period, were unremarkable also supports the hypothesis that the palpitations were linked to seizures. Epilepsy should be considered as a differential diagnosis of palpitations, especially if the palpitations are episodic.
Authors and Affiliations
Kawther T. El-Shafe| Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP14354
- DOI -
- Views 432
- Downloads 7
Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis First case report from Oman and literature review
Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB) is a rare fungal infection with few reported cases worldwide. We report here the frst case diagnosed in Oman in a previously healthy 5-year-old Omani female child who had been...
A Massive Tuberculosis Abscess at the Erector Spinae Muscles and Subcutaneous Tissues in a Young Man
Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic granulomatous infection which can present in an atypical form. Isolated muscle involvement is very rare. We report a 25-year-old man who presented with a massive cystic swelling on the ri...
The ‘5R + R’ Rule: A simple and comprehensive method for diagnosis of actinic keratosis
Dear Editor, Actinic keratoses (AKs) or ‘solar keratoses’ are cutaneous lesions that arise on areas of the skin that are chronically exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation [Figure 1]. AKs are considered early manifestat...
To Be or Not To Be Exposed to Direct Sunlight Vitamin D Defciency in Oman
Only small amounts of vitamin D come from dietary sources as it is mainly synthesised in the skin from the ultraviolet B (UVB) fraction of sunlight if the person is sufciently exposed to direct sunlight. Vitamin D defc...
A Missed Late Presentation of a Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation as a Large Infected Bulla
A congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a rare cystic anomaly that may occur during development of the fetal airways. The vast majority of CPAMs are detected in neonates; as such, it is unusual for diagnosis...