Seizure Disorders USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 7-year-old girl is brought to clinic because her teacher reports multiple daily episodes during which she abruptly stops speaking and stares for about 10 seconds, then resumes activity immediately without postictal confusion. Vital signs are normal (BP 105/68, HR 88, RR 20, Temp 98.6°F, SpO2 98%). Hyperventilation during examination reproduces the event. EEG shows 3-Hz spike-and-wave discharges. She denies recent head trauma or fever. Which EEG pattern is most likely present during these episodes?
Answer choices
- AHypsarrhythmia
- BPeriodic sharp wave complexes
- C3 Hz spike and wave dischargesCorrect answer
- DFocal temporal spikes
- E1 Hz generalized sharp waves
- FBurst suppression pattern with generalized slowing
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