Seizure syndrome symptomatic

A complete description of a patient s epilepsy should include the seizure type with the epilepsy or syndrome type (i.e., idiopathic, symptomatic, or cryptogenic). 

Typical side effects are constitutional in nature, including a flu-like syndrome within 6 hours after dosing in more than 30% of patients that tends to resolve upon continued administration. Other potential adverse effects include thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia, elevation in serum aminotransferase levels, induction of autoantibodies, nausea, fatigue, headache, arthralgias, rash, alopecia, anorexia, hypotension, and edema. Severe neuropsychiatric side effects may occur. Absolute contraindications to therapy are psychosis, severe depression, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, symptomatic heart disease, decompensated cirrhosis, uncontrolled seizures, and a history of organ transplantation (other than liver). Alfa interferons are abortifacient in primates and should not be administered in pregnancy. 

A 28-year-old 75 kg woman underwent stellate ganglion block for symptomatic treatment of Raynaud s syndrome. An anterolateral approach was used, guarding the carotid artery and jugular vein. After an aspiration test was negative in two planes, 5 ml of 1% lidocaine was injected over 2-3 seconds using a 20 G needle. However, a second aspiration test was positive for blood, the needle was pulled back, and on reinjection the patient immediately had a severe generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The patient made a rapid recovery with no further treatment and was fully conscious after 2 minutes. 

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