Sections from 110 Puzzling Cases of Epilepsy

The Preface of 110 Puzzling Cases of Epilepsy (edited by Dieter Schmidt, MD, and Steven C. Schachter, MD; Martin Dunitz, Publisher, London; 2002) points out:

“In the field of epilepsy, original observations are often the key to diagnosis and successful treatment. Indeed, the acumen to recognize the unexpected or unusual case distinguishes astute physicians. Further, case observations may prompt and stimulate basic science experiments and well-controlled clinical research. Yet illustrative reports and vignettes seem to have lost their appeal and are increasingly viewed with disdain as evidence-free medicine.

We believe that original observations are fine examples of human curiosity and the quintessence of medical science, especially in epilepsy. For this reason, we asked eminent colleagues from around the world to each contribute a case study, one that taught the clinician an important lesson and influenced the way they approached the care of their patients.”

In this new section feature for our website, we are presenting Challenging Cases. We believe that many of you will be intrigued by these cases and perhaps see clues that we learn from patients as we try to unravel the mysteries of epilepsy. Despite the advances in technology, oftentimes original observations hold the key to diagnosis. And we hope that these cases inspire clinical scientists to solve today’s unanswered questions in epilepsy.

These Challenging Cases are excerpted from 110 Puzzling Cases of Epilepsy, edited by Dieter Schmidt, MD, and Steven C. Schachter, MD (Martin Dunitz, Publisher, London, 2002).

• Left Arm and Leg Shaking in a Patient with a History of Treated Syphilis - By Daniel J Brotman and Majid Fotuhi
• The Value of Diagnostic Persistence - By Gregory L Krauss
• Syncope In A Patient With Temporal Lobe Epilepsy - By Professor Paolo Tinuper
• Seizure Relapse 13 Years After Successful Surgery - By John R Gates
• If At First You Don’t Succeed ... - By Andrew N. Wilner, MD
• Attacks of Rising Sensations, Pallor and Loss of Consciousness - By Torbjörn Tomson, MD
• Epileptic Falls Due to the Heart - By Steven C. Schachter, MD