[Differential diagnostic difficulties in myoclonic-astatic petit mal status]

Myoclonic-astatic attack syndromes tend more than other attack forms to produce states. Their clinical picture can be various and therefore cause differential-diagnostic difficulties. On four own examples they are referred to. Most frequently it will be necessary to differentiate the hardly adjustable attack syndrome from on overdose of anticonvulsives. Also the state of absences, the state of psychomotoric attacks, and the impulsive-petit-mal state can make differential-diagnostic difficulties. Furthermore, additional encephalitic processes with cerebral decompensation in anyway injured children, and the myoclonic variants of familial amaurotic idiocy are to be to consider. An EEG examination is indispensable; consideration of the total situtation, observation of the course, and recording of the actual findings are necessary.