Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: Why anaesthesiologist should know?

Abstract

A 19-year-old primigravida underwent caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. She presented with seizures on 7th post-operative day. All the common etiological factors for seizures were ruled out. We found out that the seizures were due to a psychiatric condition called 'psychogenic non-epileptic seizure (PNES)'. There were previous case reports of PNES that were documented on known patients of seizures, followed by general anaesthesia. Here is a case of PNES without any previous history of functional or organic seizures followed by spinal anaesthesia.

Keywords

• pnes
• post anaesthesia seizures
• post-operative pseudoseizures
• post-operative seizures
• post-partum seizures
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• psychogenic non-epileptic seizures