70989 - Accessual Disturbs of Consciousness (Epileptic Crisis, Syncope and Vascular Events

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

- Understand the basic and advanced elements of the functional anatomy of consciousness and its acute and chronic disorders.
- Acquire the ability to assess the level of impairment of consciousness in acute and chronic situations.
- Identify the causes of potential knowledge disorders.
- Use the most appropriate diagnostic tools in the diagnosis and management of altered states of consciousness.
- Develop skills in interacting with patients and their families in communicating the stages of diagnostic management and disease communication.

Course contents

In this comprehensive course, students will delve into the intricate facets of consciousness and its disorders. The curriculum encompasses both fundamental and advanced aspects of functional anatomy, focusing on acute and chronic conditions. Participants will gain proficiency in evaluating consciousness impairment across various scenarios. The course equips students to identify the origins of knowledge disorders and adeptly employ diagnostic tools tailored to altered states of consciousness. A key emphasis is placed on honing communication skills with patients and families, guiding students through the nuanced stages of diagnostic management and disease communication.

Topics

Alterations of consciousness in epileptic seizures. Absences, focal seizures with altered consciousness.
The differential diagnosis of paroxysmal disorders of consciousness (Syncopes, Epileptic seizures, Psychogenic-PNES seizures, etc.).
CAPS-CARE: pericritical clinical questioning to assess paroxysmal disorders of consciousness
Prolonged disturbances of consciousness (Convulsive and non-convulsive status epilepticus).
Delirium, stupor, coma
Comas and persistent disorders of consciousness from the neurologist's perspective.

Readings/Bibliography

Plum and Posner's Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma (Contemporary Neurology Series) 4th Edition by Jerome B. Posner, Clifford B. Saper, Nicholas Schiff, Fred Plum

Other reference texts will eventually be communicated in class and the pdf uploaded to VIRUALE

Teaching methods

Lectures

Discussion of illustrative clinical cases using videos and instrumental exams (EEG, CT scans, and MRI).

Assessment methods

Learning will be assessed during the lectures themselves through clinical reasoning demonstrated by the student in the discussion of cases, as well as through multiple-choice quizzes that will be shown at the end of each topic covered

Teaching tools

Video and instrumental diagnostic material (e.g., EEG, MRI) of sample clinical cases.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Bisulli