Sheldon et al reported historical findings reported by patients experiencing a seizure or syncopal episode. The authors are from the University of Calgary, McMaster University, and the Wales Heart Research Institute (Cardiff, Wales).
Clinical findings with a likelihood ratio of 12.9 to 16.5 for seizure disorder:
(1) cut tongue
(2) head turning to one side during loss of consciousness
(3) unusual posturing
Clinical findings with a likelihood ratio of 4.0 to 6.5 for seizure disorder:
(1) bedwetting
(2) blue color (cyanosis) observed by bystanders
(3) limb jerking observed
(4) prodromal trembling
(5) prodromal hallucinations
(6) behaviors not recalled
Clinical findings with a likelihood ratio of 2.8 to 3.8 for seizure disorder:
(1) loss of consciousness during emotional stress
(2) prodromal déjà vu (feeling something is very familiar) or jamais vu (feeling something is very unfamiliar)
(3) observed unresponsiveness
(4) postictal confusion
(5) postical headache
(6) prodromal mood changes
(7) any abnormal behaviors observed by others
Clinical findings with likelihood ratio 0.20 to 0.38 for seizure disorder:
(1) presyncopal spell before loss of consciousness
(2) high blood pressure or hypertension
(3) presncope in warm or hot environment
(4) presyncope with needle
(5) any presyncope
(6) presyncope after exercise
(7) warmth before a spell
(8) any chest pain
(9) nausea before a spell
(10) remembered loss of consciousness
Clinical findings with a likelihood ratio of 0.10 to 0.19 for seizure disorder:
(1) presyncope with prolonged sitting or standing
(2) diaphoresis before a spell
(3) chest pain before a spell
Clinical findings with a likelihood ratio 0.04 to 0.08 for seizure disorder:
(1) dyspnea before loss of consciousness
(2) history of coronary heart disease
(3) loss of consciousness occurs after prolonged sitting or standing
Specialty: Neurology
ICD-10: ,