Transient global amnesia after sexual intercourse

"Forgettable" sex: a case of transient global amnesia presenting to the emergency department

BACKGROUND

Transient global amnesia is characterized by the sudden development of dense anterograde amnesia, without alteration in level of consciousness and in the absence of focal neurologic deficits or seizure activity. Various precipitating causes have been reported in the medical literature.

OBJECTIVE

To present a literature-guided approach to the diagnosis and management of transient global amnesia in the Emergency Department (ED).

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 54-year-old woman who presented to the ED with an episode of acute memory loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Although rare, transient global amnesia may present in a dramatic fashion. The occurrence of a distinct precipitating event and repetitive questioning seem to be key features in making the diagnosis. Important differential considerations include transient ischemic attack, seizure, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Brain imaging and specialty consultation are reserved primarily for patients with unclear circumstances, altered level of consciousness, focal neurologic findings, and persistent (or very brief) amnestic symptoms. Brain imaging may, however, relieve anxiety about more dangerous causes of the event.

Transient acute neurologic sequelae of sexual activity: headache and amnesia

INTRODUCTION

Sexual activity may on occasion be complicated by neurologic syndromes of headache and amnesia. These syndromes may be alarming not only to patients but also to medical practitioners unfamiliar with them, initiating inappropriate investigations or advice.

AIMS

To review the clinical features, differential diagnosis, investigation, pathophysiology, and treatment of primary headache associated with sexual activity and of transient global amnesia precipitated by sexual activity.

METHODS

Selective literature review.

CONCLUSION

Transient headache and amnesia associated with sexual activity are generally benign, self-limited syndromes of presumed vascular origin. The most important differential diagnosis in both instances is subarachnoid hemorrhage, but this may be readily excluded on the basis of clinical and investigational findings. Reassurance, based on clear diagnosis, is the most important treatment.