Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Published on: September 20, 2024
Misdiagnosis of epileptic and non-epileptic seizures in a neurological intensive care unit
F Boesebeck1, S Freermann, C Kellinghaus
1University of Muenster, Department of Neurology, Muenster, Germany. boesebeck@diako-online.de
Objective:
The etiological misinterpretation of paroxysmal neurological symptoms frequently causes a delayed treatment or an inappropriate utilization of ICU-capacities.
Methods:
In this study, the data of 208 patients admitted to a neurological ICU because of acute transient neurological deficits, loss of consciousness or unclear motor phenomena were retrospectively analyzed. The initial emergency room diagnosis was compared to the final diagnosis and the rate of misdiagnosis was related to the patients' history and diagnostic data.
Results:
In 13.9%, the emergency room diagnosis of epileptic seizures turned out to be incorrect, whereas in 15.6%, the final diagnosis of epileptic seizures was missed in the emergency room. Factors that were significantly correlated to missing the seizure diagnosis were (i) no prior history of epilepsy, (ii) old age, (iii) multi-morbidity, (iv) pathologic CT-scans demonstrating cerebrovascular lesions, (v) seizure description by non-professionals, (vi) predominantly negative seizure phenomena (aphasia, loss of consciousness, paresis), (vii) lack of tongue-bite lesions.
Related Concept Videos
Seizures l: Introduction
Seizures: Classification
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Epilepsy ll: Types
Seizures ll: Types
Documentation of Nursing Diagnosis
In some settings, data-driven computerized decision support systems are in place, allowing for more accurate nursing diagnoses. The database within one of these systems includes diagnostic labels defining characteristics, activities, and indicators for nursing. A nurse enters assessment...
