Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
Published on: September 20, 2024
Calgary score and modified Calgary score in the differential diagnosis between neurally mediated syncope and epilepsy
Runmei Zou1, Shuo Wang1, Liping Zhu1
1Department of Pediatric Cardiovasology, Children's Medical Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University/Institute of Pediatrics, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
Insights
The Calgary score and modified Calgary score effectively differentiate between neurally mediated syncope and epilepsy in children. These scores offer high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing epilepsy versus syncope.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- Distinguishing between neurally mediated syncope and epilepsy in children is clinically challenging.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and preventing misdiagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic value of the Calgary score and modified Calgary score.
- To evaluate their effectiveness in differentiating pediatric neurally mediated syncope from epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 201 children diagnosed with either neurally mediated syncope or epilepsy.
- Utilized the Calgary score, modified Calgary score, and receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis.
- Compared score values between the syncope and epilepsy groups.
Main Results:
- Significant differences were observed in median Calgary scores between syncope and epilepsy groups (P < 0.01).
- A Calgary score ≥1 demonstrated 91.46% sensitivity and 95.80% specificity for epilepsy diagnosis.
- Modified Calgary scores also showed significant differences (P < 0.01), with a score ≥1 yielding 92.68% sensitivity and 96.64% specificity for epilepsy.
Conclusions:
- Both the Calgary score and modified Calgary score are valuable tools for the differential diagnosis of syncope and epilepsy in children.
- The modified Calgary score showed a slight, non-significant improvement in diagnostic performance over the original Calgary score.
- These scores provide a reliable method to aid clinicians in differentiating these conditions.
Abstract:
To evaluate the value of Calgary score and modified Calgary score in differential diagnosis between neurally mediated syncope and epilepsy in children. 201 children experienced one or more episodes of loss of consciousness and diagnosed as neurally mediated syncope or epilepsy were enrolled. Calgary score, modified Calgary score and receiver-operating characteristic curve were used to explore the predictive value in differential diagnosis. There were significant differences in median Calgary score between syncope [-4.00 (-6, 1)] and epilepsy [2 (-3, 5)] (z = -11.63, P < 0.01). When Calgary score ≥1, the sensitivity and specificity of differential diagnosis between syncope and epilepsy were 91.46 and 95.80 %, suggesting a diagnosis of epilepsy. There were significant differences in median modified Calgary score between syncope [-4.00 (-6, 1)] and epilepsy [3 (-3, 6)] (z = -11.71, P < 0.01). When modified Calgary score ≥1, the sensitivity and specificity were 92.68 and 96.64 %, suggesting a diagnosis of epilepsy. The sensitivity and specificity of modified Calgary score and Calgary score did not show significant differences (P > 0.05). Calgary score and modified Calgary score could be used to differential diagnosis between syncope and epilepsy in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Seizures: 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:
01:24Epilepsy 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...