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Reilly C, Jette N, Johnson EC, Kariuki SM, Meredith F, Wirrell E, Mula M, Smith ML, Walsh S, Fong CY, Wilmshurst JM, Kerr M, Valente K, Auvin S. Scoping review and expert-based consensus recommendations for assessment and management of psychogenic non-epileptic (functional) seizures (PNES) in children: A report from the Pediatric Psychiatric Issues Task Force of the International League Against Epilepsy. Epilepsia 2023; 64:3160-3195. [PMID: 37804168 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Limited guidance exists regarding the assessment and management of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in children. Our aim was to develop consensus-based recommendations to fill this gap. The members of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Task Force on Pediatric Psychiatric Issues conducted a scoping review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-SR) standards. This was supplemented with a Delphi process sent to pediatric PNES experts. Consensus was defined as ≥80% agreement. The systematic search identified 77 studies, the majority (55%) of which were retrospective (only one randomized clinical trial). The primary means of PNES identification was video electroencephalography (vEEG) in 84% of studies. Better outcome was associated with access to counseling/psychological intervention. Children with PNES have more frequent psychiatric disorders than controls. The Delphi resulted in 22 recommendations: Assessment-There was consensus on the importance of (1) taking a comprehensive developmental history; (2) obtaining a description of the events; (3) asking about potential stressors; (4) the need to use vEEG if available parent, self, and school reports and video recordings can contribute to a "probable" diagnosis; and (5) that invasive provocation techniques or deceit should not be employed. Management-There was consensus about the (1) need for a professional with expertise in epilepsy to remain involved for a period after PNES diagnosis; (2) provision of appropriate educational materials to the child and caregivers; and (3) that the decision on treatment modality for PNES in children should consider the child's age, cognitive ability, and family factors. Comorbidities-There was consensus that all children with PNES should be screened for mental health and neurodevelopmental difficulties. Recommendations to facilitate the assessment and management of PNES in children were developed. Future directions to fill knowledge gaps were proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Reilly
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, UK
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nathalie Jette
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinia, New York City, New York, USA
| | | | - Symon M Kariuki
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Elaine Wirrell
- Divisions of Child and Adolescent Neurology and Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Marco Mula
- IMBE, St George's University and the Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St George's University Hospital, London, UK
| | - Mary Lou Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga and Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samantha Walsh
- Levy Library, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Choong Yi Fong
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jo M Wilmshurst
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mike Kerr
- Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kette Valente
- Clinical Neurophysiology Sector, University of São Paulo, Clinic Hospital (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stephane Auvin
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM NeuroDiderot, Paris, France
- Pediatric Neurology Department, APHP, Robert Debré University Hospital, CRMR epilepsies rares, EpiCare member, Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
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McNicholas O, Pryce H. Clinical physiologists' experiences of working with people with nonepileptic attack disorder: A qualitative study. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 127:108501. [PMID: 35016053 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the perspectives of clinical physiologists on working with patients with nonepileptic attack disorder (NEAD). Nonepileptic attack disorder is a medically unexplained symptom frequently encountered by clinical physiologists in the field of neurophysiology. Studies in healthcare professionals show that they often find patients with medically unexplained symptoms challenging, uncomfortable, and frustrating to interact with. Clinical physiologists spend a substantial amount of time with patients and are key to the assessment of the condition. It is not known how physiologists experience working with patients with NEAD. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinical physiologists who frequently work with these patients. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to grounded theory methodology. RESULTS Twelve participants including current trainees and qualified clinical physiologists working in neurophysiology were interviewed for the study. Participants described the experience of working with people with NEAD as anxiety provoking and unpredictable. The sources of this anxiety were the nature of the psychological aspects of the condition, the need to preserve professional boundaries and a lack of preparedness to manage conversations about distress or the psychological factors impacting the NEAD. CONCLUSIONS There is a risk that patient care is compromised by the lack of preparation and skills training of physiologists. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Physiologists need further training in counseling skills to increase tolerance to emotionally laden content in patient accounts and knowledge of suitable referral routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia McNicholas
- Neurophysiology Department, University College Hospitals London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Helen Pryce
- Audiology Department, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B47ET, UK.
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Kotwas I, Arthuis M, Cermolacce M, Bartolomei F, McGonigal A. Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: Chronology of multidisciplinary team approach to diagnosis and management. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2021; 178:692-702. [PMID: 34980511 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
While the diagnosis and management of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) remain challenging, certain evidence-based guidelines exist, which can help to optimize patient care. A multidisciplinary team approach appears to have many benefits. Current recommendations exist for some aspects of diagnosis and management of PNES, including levels of diagnostic certainty as proposed by the International League Against Epilepsy's expert Task Force on PNES. Other aspects of clinical still care lack clear consensus, including use of suggestion techniques for recording PNES and optimal terminology, since the term "functional seizures" has recently been proposed as a possible term to replace "PNES". The present article aims to (1) review current recommendations and (2) discuss our own team's experience in managing patients with PNES. This is organized chronologically in terms of the roles of the neurologist, psychiatrist and psychologist, and discusses diagnostic issues, psychiatric assessment and treatment, and psychotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Kotwas
- AP-HM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology, Marseille, France
| | - M Arthuis
- AP-HM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology, Marseille, France
| | - M Cermolacce
- University Department of Psychiatry, AP-HM, Sainte-Marguerite Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - F Bartolomei
- AP-HM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Marseille, France
| | - A McGonigal
- AP-HM, Timone Hospital, Clinical Neurophysiology, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Marseille, France.
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Abstract
SUMMARY Recording of interictal epileptiform discharges to classify the epilepsy syndrome is one of the most common indications for ambulatory EEG. Ambulatory EEG has superior sampling compared with standard EEG recordings and advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness and convenience compared with a prolonged inpatient EEG study. Ambulatory EEG allows for EEG recording in all sleep stages and transitional states, which can be very helpful in capturing interictal epileptiform discharges. In the absence of interictal epileptiform discharges or in patients with atypical events, the characterization of an epilepsy syndrome may require recording of the habitual events. Diagnostic ambulatory EEG can be a useful alternative to inpatient video-EEG monitoring in a selected number of patients with frequent events who do not require medication taper or seizure testing for surgical localization.
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Popkirov S, Grönheit W, Jungilligens J, Wehner T, Schlegel U, Wellmer J. Suggestive seizure induction for inpatients with suspected psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Epilepsia 2020; 61:1931-1938. [PMID: 32712967 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the utility of suggestive seizure induction for inpatient work-up of suspected psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). METHODS Prospective study of epilepsy center inpatient admissions with suspected PNES. Patients were randomized to undergo suggestive induction first (group A) and then, if necessary, long-term video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, or vice versa (group B). Diagnostic pathways were compared. Potential clinical predictors for diagnostic success were evaluated. RESULTS Length of in-hospital stay did not significantly differ between groups. Suspicion of PNES was confirmed in 43 of 77 (56%) patients, evenly distributed between group A (22 of 39) and group B (21 of 38). In nine patients, recorded habitual seizures were epileptic and in 25 cases, no diagnostic event could be recorded. Diagnosis of PNES was ascertained primarily by recording a typical seizure through suggestive induction in 24 patients and through long-term monitoring in 19 patients. In group A (induction first), monitoring was not deemed necessary in 21% of cases. In group B (monitoring first), 13% would have remained inconclusive without suggestive induction. Patients who reported triggers to their habitual seizures were not more likely to have spontaneous or provoked PNES during monitoring or suggestive inducion, respectively. Patients with subjective seizure prodromes (auras) were significantly more likely to have a PNES during suggestive induction than those without (odds ratio [OR] 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-10.4). There was no significant difference in seizure frequency between patients with spontaneous PNES during long-term monitoring and those with nondiagnostic monitoring sessions. SIGNIFICANCE Our results support the notion that suggestive seizure induction can reduce the number of inconclusive inpatient workups, and can obviate resource-intensive long-term monitoring in one fifth of cases. Patients who are aware of prodromes might have a higher chance of having seizures induced through suggestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stoyan Popkirov
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Wenke Grönheit
- Ruhr-Epileptology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Johannes Jungilligens
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Ruhr-Epileptology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Department of Neuropsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Tim Wehner
- Ruhr-Epileptology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Uwe Schlegel
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jörg Wellmer
- Ruhr-Epileptology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Gogia B, Rai PK, Matthys SA, Mong ER, Rodriguez R, Yassin A, Patel K, Patel C, Todd M. Use of noninvasive induction techniques in the diagnosis of PNES. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 99:106491. [PMID: 31654987 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) remains challenging. In the correct clinical setting with prolonged electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, the specificity of provocative techniques to distinguish induced epileptic event from a nonepileptic event approaches 90%. We report our epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) experience with the use of noninvasive verbal suggestion (VS) during hyperventilation (HV), photic stimulation (PS) as induction technique in making the diagnosis of PNES. In total, 189/423 patients were diagnosed with PNES during the EMU evaluation. Of the 189, 20 had mixed disorder and 169 patients had only PNES, 80 patients (47.3%) had a PNES with induction, and the remaining 89 of 169 patients (52.7%) had a spontaneous PNES episode that did not require induction. Verbal suggestion during HV and PS confirmed the diagnosis of PNES in 47% of the patients who otherwise did not have spontaneous events. Within the group who was diagnosed with PNES following induction, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were stopped in 53% of the patients. We believe that this is a large proportion of patients that would possibly remain undiagnosed if no induction were performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhanu Gogia
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Prashant K Rai
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Samuel A Matthys
- University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Eric R Mong
- University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Rafael Rodriguez
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ahmed Yassin
- Jordan University of Science and Technology, Department of Neurosciences, Jordan.
| | - Kamakshi Patel
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Chilvana Patel
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Masel Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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