[Bettolepsy as a variant of transient ischemic attacks]

Bettolepsy (B) refers to episodes of fainting of abrupt onset in patients with nonspecific pulmonary diseases, occurring at the paroxysm of coughing. The authors conducted a comprehensive evaluation in 12 patients liable to B attacks, that incorporated study of the state of the vegetative nervous system, EEG, REG, ultrasonic dopplerography of major vessels of the brain, computerized tomography to the brain, echocardioscopy, roentgenography of the spinal column. The data obtained allow B episodes to be regarded as an acute disturbance in cerebral bloodflow in vascular beds of the vertebrobasilar system of transient ischemic attacks type, which fact leads to derangement in the ascending impacts of the reticular formation, and is a syncopal state.