Alcohol withdrawal seizures

Background

  • Onset after last drink: 6-48h
  • Multiple seizures: 60% of patients
  • Progression to Delerium tremenss: 33% of patients
  • May occur in spectrum or independent of Alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Clinical Features

  • Single or multiple brief tonic-clonic seizures in the appropriate time setting for alcohol withdrawal[1]

Differential Diagnosis

Ethanol related disease processes

Seizure

Diagnosis

  • Clinical features
  • Elevated CIWA
  • Other diagnoses excluded (ICH from head injury, hyponatremia, etc.)

Management

Disposition

  • Admission

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Manasco A, Chang S, Larriviere J, et al. Alcohol withdrawal. Southern Medical Journal. 2012; 105(11):607–612.