Atonic seizures

 Q: Atonic seizures usually affect? (select one)

A) upper extremities

B) lower extremities

Answer: B

Atonic seizures are also called drop seizures. Due to the sudden loss of control of mostly the lower extremities, patient collapses to the ground. Clinically, they are hard to diagnosis without EEG. They are also called epileptic negative myoclonus. They mostly identify a local phenomenon like temporal or frontal lobe epilepsy. Besides falling down, some of the intriguing symptoms are head nodding and eyelid drooping.  

The atonic seizures may occur in stroke and central nervous system (CNS) infections. 

#neurology

 References: 

1. So NK. Atonic phenomena and partial seizures. A reappraisal. Adv Neurol. 1995;67:29-39. PMID: 8848976.

2.  Kovac S, Diehl B. Atonic phenomena in focal seizures: nomenclature, clinical findings and pathophysiological concepts. Seizure. 2012 Oct;21(8):561-7. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2012.06.004. Epub 2012 Jul 11. PMID: 22789404.