Question
A 4-year-old boy underwent a craniotomy two years ago due to a fall, and the surgery was successful. However, he has recently started experiencing seizure-like symptoms about once to twice a day. He inquires about possible causes and whether he can receive treatment at the hospital.
Answer
Seizures often precede an aura, which may include dizziness, abdominal discomfort, followed by sudden loss of consciousness, brief pauses in breathing, convulsions of the limbs, clenching of the fists, upward rolling of the eyes or deviation, bluish discoloration of the face, frothy spittle from the mouth, and in some cases, tongue biting and urinary incontinence. However, up to 1% to 3% of normal individuals may also exhibit EEG patterns similar to seizures, and some patients may show normal EEG readings during interictal periods. Therefore, an EEG alone may not be sufficient to diagnose or rule out epilepsy. The patient should not be overly concerned because epilepsy is a condition that can be treated clinically. It is recommended that the patient maintain a positive attitude and seek professional medical treatment. May the patient recover soon.