11-28-2007, 05:16 PM
A 42-year-old man is brought to the physician by his wife because
of a 2-month history of staring spells that last 1 to 2 minutes each.
During episodes, he also smacks his lips and picks at his shirt
collar. Four years ago, he was comatose for 2 weeks after sustaining a
head injury in a motorcycle collision; he required 6 months of
rehabilitation. He reports that, over the past year, he has had
intermittent episodes of smelling burnt rubber that occur
approximately every 2 weeks. He hears an intense hissing sound during
these episodes. Examination shows no abnormalities. Which of the
following is the most likely diagnosis?
A
) Absence seizures
B
) Complex partial seizures
C
) Transient ischemic attack
D
) Tourette's disorder
E
) Limbic encephalopathy
of a 2-month history of staring spells that last 1 to 2 minutes each.
During episodes, he also smacks his lips and picks at his shirt
collar. Four years ago, he was comatose for 2 weeks after sustaining a
head injury in a motorcycle collision; he required 6 months of
rehabilitation. He reports that, over the past year, he has had
intermittent episodes of smelling burnt rubber that occur
approximately every 2 weeks. He hears an intense hissing sound during
these episodes. Examination shows no abnormalities. Which of the
following is the most likely diagnosis?
A
) Absence seizures
B
) Complex partial seizures
C
) Transient ischemic attack
D
) Tourette's disorder
E
) Limbic encephalopathy