Differential diagnosis of a paroxysmal neurological event: Do neurologists know how to clinically recognize it?

To investigate ability to recognize paroxysmal neurological events (PNE) based on video-recorded events alone in a group of physicians treating prevalent neurological conditions.

Total of 12 patients' videos (6 epileptic seizures (ES), 4 psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), 2 other nonepileptic seizures (oNES)) were selected. Videos were displayed once to physicians blind to clinical data and final diagnosis. Physicians determined their clinical choice: ES, PNES, oNES, and I don't know (IDK). When ES was chosen, subjects determined type of ES: focal ES, secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS), primary GTCS, and IDK.

In total 145 physicians (62% female, mean age 46.2±9years) (neurologists 58.6%, neuropsychiatrists 25.5%, psychiatrists 5%, and neurology residents 10.3%) were enrolled. Physician's exposure to patients with epilepsy per week was diverse: ≤1 patient (43.7%); 1-7 patients (37.2%); >7 patients (14.5%). Reported frequency of observation of PNE was as follows: frequent (21.4%), sometimes (47.6%); rarely (26.9%); never (2.1%). Majority of subjects were not EEG readers (60.7%). Median percentage (Mdn%) of correct answers (CA) was 75% (range 25-100). Predictor of better PNE recognition was higher frequency of clinical exposure to PNE (OR 1.65; CI95% 1.11-2.45; p=0.013). Mdn% of ES CA was 83.3%, (range 33.3-100), and of PNES CA was 50% (range 0-100). Physicians were more accurate in ES than PNES identification (p<0,001). Mdn% of type of ES CA was 50%, (range 0-100).

We demonstrate the need for education about clinical features of PNE across subgroups of physicians who deliver neurological service, with emphasis on PNES and ES type classification.