1. Which of the following statements is false about the EEG shown:
A) It is more common in childhood epilepsy than in adult epilepsy
B) It can be associative with complaints of inattention
C) It is only associated in staring episodes
D) Is usually Hereditary
Answer:C. The EEG shows classic 3 per second spike wave activity.the pattern of inheritance is probably autosomal dominant with variable penetrance. These children frequently have generalized tonic clonic seizures.

2. Temporal sharp waves
And 32-year-old man has had a history of epilepsy since the age of 20. His EEG is shown above. Which of the following may be true:
a) Focal glucose hypometabolism on the pet scan
b) ictal focal hyper perfusion on HMPAO SPECT scan
c) The presence of an aura during the seizures
d) Decrease number of benzodiazepine receptors in the mesial temporal lobe
e) All of the above
Answer: E. The EEG shows a focal right frontal temporal sharp wave. This suggests a focal epilepsy, in which all of the above statements would be correct.

3. Which is true about the following EEG:
Consciousness will be preserved
The seizures arising from one temporal lobe
it is pathognomonic for mesial temporal sclerosis
the patient would be having a generalised convulsion
Answer: B. EEG shows a left fronto temporal seizure. The patient most likely would have impairment of consciousness and a complex partial seizure. Although certain EEG patterns are associated with mesial temporal sclerosis, there are no pathognomonic features.

4. Triphasic waves are usually not seen in:
Barbiturate coma
hepatic coma
coma from brainstem infarction
uraemic coma
Answer: C. Triphasic waves are seen in metabolic encephalopathies. Brainstem infarction can produce high amplitude slowing, alpha coma or diffuse suppression of cerebral rhythms